The Irish Rugby Football Union has confirmed that the Ireland vs Italy Six Nations matches scheduled between 6 and 8 March will not proceed as scheduled, given the need to protect public health in relation to the coronavirus. IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne said the organisation was acting on Government advice and that IRFU was “perfectly happy to comply” with its recommendations.
The IRFU is looking at the possibility of rescheduling the games at a later date and asked ticket holders to retain their tickets. Ireland were due to play Italy at the 50,000-seater Aviva Stadium in Dublin on 7 March, while the women were due to play at Energia Park in Dublin on Sunday 8 March and the men’s U20 team were to face Italy on Friday 6 March in Cork at Irish Independent Park.
The decision to call off the matches follows an hour long meeting between Minister for Health Simon Harris and IRFU officials at the Department of Health.
As you may be aware the IRFU have confirmed that Ireland’s match against Italy scheduled for Saturday 7th March will not proceed due to concerns surrounding cases of the Coronavirus in Italy. Please see their statement HERE or read below.. We await further news on whether the match will be cancelled or postponed, and if so when it may be rescheduled.
If you have any further questions please contact Cathal O’Leary by EMAIL or call the office and we will do our best to help.
Statement from the Irish Rugby Football Union
“The IRFU had a positive meeting with Minister Harris and his advisors today, where we requested a formal instruction as to the staging of the Ireland v Italy international matches over the weekend of 6/8 March.
At the outset we made it clear that the IRFU was supportive of the Governments’ need to protect public health in relation to the Coronavirus.
We were then advised, formally, that The National Public Health Emergency team has determined that the series of matches should not proceed, in the interests of Public Health.
The IRFU is happy to comply with this instruction.
Ticket Information
Following today’s announcement the IRFU are working with the Six Nations to try to reschedule all three fixtures. Ticket holders are asked to retain their tickets for now.
The IRFU will be providing ticket holders with tickets for the rescheduled games or a refund, if they wish to receive one.
Information on both these options will be released as soon as possible.”
