Coronavirus a hot topic for Six Nations chiefs in Paris

Six Nations chiefs will meet on Monday for talks over the spread of coronavirus that could result in further disruption to the Championship.

Representatives from the home unions plus France and Italy will be present for the pre-scheduled World Rugby meeting in Paris that will now also include discussions over what additional action should be taken in response to the outbreak.

Ireland’s match against Italy in Dublin on March 7 has been postponed due to the potential threat posed to public health, taking with it the Women’s and U20 fixtures.

England’s trip to Rome a week later is now in grave doubt due to the virus’ stranglehold in northern Italy, which has become a major centre of infection where 11 towns are in lockdown.

In the region of 20,000 Red Rose supporters are expected to descend on the Stadio Olimpico for the final game of the 2020 Six Nations and Eddie Jones’ men still in title contention ahead of their meeting with Wales on Saturday week.

It is the the movement of large of numbers of people to and from areas of infection that is the biggest concern, leading to fears England’s game could be rearranged.