Six Nations 2020: Scotland v France still on, as things stand, according to tournament chiefs

Scotland's Six Nations match with France on Sunday is still on for now according to tournament organisers, who are awaiting guidance on the current coronavirus outbreak. Picture: SRU/SNS

Reports coming out of France today cast doubt over the match but representatives from the Six Nations unions met to discuss the situation in Paris and have decided to take a wait-and-see approach.

The Six Nations met today in Paris to address the current situation regarding the Covid-19 Virus which has hit Europe following its initial outbreak in the Chinese province of Wuhan.

"At this time our preparations for the forthcoming match vs France are continuing as normal," said an SRU spokesman.

The Six Nations statement said: “We and the six unions and federations are following the situation very closely with respective governments and relevant health authorities and will strictly follow any directive given that would impact sporting events.

“As it stands today, based on the latest information, all Six Nations matches currently scheduled are set to go ahead.

“Six Nations is in contact with FIR and RFU regarding the possibility of relocating the Women’s and U20 Italy vs England matches to another Italian location and we will make a further announcement on this in due course. However, the Italy v England senior men’s match in Rome is planned to go ahead as scheduled.

“Six Nations intends to complete all 15 games across all three championships [men, women and Under-20s] when time allows but we will refrain from making any rescheduling announcements for the time being while we keep assessing the situation.”

According to respected French sports paper Midi-Olympique, a French Federation of Rugby source has said the match in Edinburgh is in doubt. Ireland's home match against Italy this weekend is already postponed.

“The threat is more important about Scotland-France than France-Ireland [on the closing weekend]", the French federation source is quoted as saying.

The Scotsman understands that the SRU still anticipates Sunday's match with the Grand Slam-chasing French will take place but, as relayed by the statement from Six Nations, await a decision and will follow guidance given by government and public health agencies.

A World Rugby spokesman said that yesterday's meeting in Paris was not primarily to discuss coronavirus or the future of this year's championship but that "sidebar" meetings between delegates from the Six Nations countries were held to address the unfolding health crisis.

A spokeswoman for the Six Nations said that Ireland v Italy remains the only match postponed as things stand but tournament officials were awaiting guidance on the matter.

Scotland Women's game, scheduled to be played in Legnano near Milan a week past Sunday was postponed as the virus broke out in northern Italy and saw towns in the Lombardy and Veneto regions placed into lockdown.

After the global COVID-19 outbreak hit Europe, the Irish RFU made the decision to postpone their match against Italy following advice given by Simon Harris, Ireland's health minister.

He expressed his concerns about the game going ahead due to deaths from the new coronavirus in Italy, the European country that has been hit hardest by the outbreak.

The first case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Scotland after a patient was diagnosed having recently travelled from Italy. The patient, from Tayside, tested positive and is receiving treatment in isolation in hospital.

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