Ireland’s next Six Nations championship clash against France could come under threat as Six Nations bosses pledge to support any further preventative measures by Governments over coronavirus fears.
It follows the postponement of the Ireland v Italy encounter that was scheduled for March 7 in Dublin.
Six Nations chiefs have stated that other matches are 'currently' scheduled to go ahead as normal.
But they added they would 'respect instructions provided by government authorities and health organisations' - and would be 'fully supportive of any preventative measures taken in the interests of overall public health in relation to the coronavirus'.
Cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in France this week, where Ireland are due to play on March 14. England's final round game is in Rome.
Despite 11 towns in northern Italy being in lockdown after an outbreak, Lazio’s Serie A clash with Bologna at Stadio Olimpico, where England are due to play, goes ahead on Saturday.
A decision has yet to be made on whether Bologna fans will be allowed to travel.
Rugby Players Ireland CEO Simon Keogh said: “Whilst we appreciate the magnitude of the Six Nations Championship, a health risk of this scale undoubtedly supersedes any rugby game."
Six Nations bosses, along with the IRFU and the other national unions, are braced for the difficult task of finding alternative dates for Ireland v Italy and any other possible postponements.
In 2001, an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease caused Ireland's three home games to be postponed until September. It could be a similar outcome now.
The jam-packed club season doesn't end until the PRO14 final on June 20. Ireland embark for Australia for a two-Test tour in the aftermath.
Ireland's two day mini-camp began as planned yesterday evening and Andy Farrell's squad will go ahead with an open session at Energia Park on Friday.
That session is shared with the under-20s, whose Grand Slam ambitions are now on hold with their own meeting with Italy postponed.
Ireland's Women's team will also be eager to finish out the championship - seeding points from the Six Nations count towards the World Cup qualifiers in September.
