'I'm usually a private person but the actions of some people are really starting to worry me'

Ireland wing Keith Earls has taken to Twitter to make a heartfelt plea to the general public as the coronavirus spreads across the globe.

One of Earls' two daughters suffers with a serious lung condition and he has asked the public to play their part in limiting the spread of disease.

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Despite the Irish government putting in place stringent social distancing guidelines this week, footage of people socialising as normal in tightly packed pubs have been circulating on social media throughout Ireland.

Earls took to Twitter to ask people to 'take action' against the spread of the disease.

"As a father of a child with a serious respiratory lung condition and many others like her, I urge the public to please listen to the professionals.

"I will do everything I can to protect her.

"Everyone has a part to play. I'm usually a private person but the actions of some people are really starting to worry me.

"This is an extremely worrying and scary time and we all need to take action."

The coronavirus outbreak has decimated the sporting schedule and left major doubts over some of 2020’s biggest events, with all major rugby tournaments worldwide now suspended.

SANZAAR made the decision to suspend the 2020 Super Rugby tournament at the conclusion of this weekend’s matches for the foreseeable future.

The Six Nations game between Wales and Scotland in Cardiff on Saturday was postponed on Friday, joining the games between France and Ireland and Italy against England.

The Guinness PRO14 was suspended indefinitely.

Sunday’s Premiership Rugby Cup final between Sale and Harlequins was originally given the go-ahead on Friday, only to be postponed following an individual on staff developing symptoms consistent with coronavirus.

- additional reporting PA