IRFU postpone remaining Six Nations fixtures

The IRFU have postponed Ireland’s remaining Six Nations fixtures against England and Scotland in response to the ongoing foot-and-mouth crisis. The decision leaves the existing fixture list in tatters andputs the completion of this years competition in serious doubt.

The England game was due to take place at Lansdowne Road on March 24th while Ireland were scheduled to travel to Edinburgh on April 7th to face Scotland. No new dates have been set for these fixtures.

Last Saturday’s tie between Ireland and Wales has already been postponed until April 29th.

Following two days of consultation and deliberation on what measures should be taken to prevent the threat posed by foot-and-mouth disease the IRFU decided to adhere to the Department of Agriculture’s 30 day recommendation.This advises that no international fixtures should take place with British teams within 30 days of a case in the UK being confirmed.

In a statement released this evening the IRFU said: "The strong advice and recommendation from the Department of Agriculture to the IRFU is that both the forthcoming scheduled Lloyds TSB Six Nations championship games against England on March 24 at Lansdowne Road and against Scotland on April 7 in Edinburgh should be postponed . . . in the national interest the IRFU feels obliged to accept the recommendation."

"The IRFU greatly regrets that these measures have had to be taken and the inconvenience and disruption that will be caused to followers of Irish rugby both at home and abroad."

Ireland now find themselves in a situation that may see them be forced to play three Six Nations matches in a fortnight.

It is understood the trip to Murrayfield could be staged on May 12th-13th, dates set aside by the Six Nations Committee to accommodate postponements. The game against Wales would be completed on April 29th with the crucial England match falling on the following weekend.

However, a very real possibility remains that the games may not be held until next September.