French rugby chiefs have stated tonight that Ireland's Six Nations clash with France is going ahead on Saturday week as things stand.
That fixture, plus the ones involving Ireland's women's team and the Grand Slam chasing under-20s, have been under serious threat since the French government announced last weekend that confined gatherings of more than 5,000 people had been cancelled due to coronavirus fears.
Along with all the major sports bodies in France, the French Rugby Federation met with the French government this week but nothing was communicated by the FFR.
The FFR's statement said: "Gatherings organised in open-air venues such as sporting events played in large stadiums like the France v Ireland fixtures on 13, 14 and 15 March will go ahead as long as it does not lead to the mixing of populations from areas where the Covid-19 virus is circulating."
Ireland's under-20s will play first, in Perpignan, next Friday night before the senior men face on Saturday, March 14 a France side that will be trying to complete the Grand Slam if they overcome Scotland in Edinburgh on Sunday.
The Ireland women's side are due to play in Lille the following afternoon.
The three Ireland sides were due to play their Italian counterparts over this weekend but the games were called off last week.
