Irish authorities want to postpone 6 Nations match vs. Italy

Irish authorities recommended postponing next month’s Six Nations rugby match against Italy on Wednesday because of concerns about the spread of the virus that began in China.

Italy is scheduled to travel to Dublin for the match against Ireland on March 7, part of an annual rugby competition that also includes England, France, Scotland and Wales.

“The very clear view of the public health emergency team was that this game should not go ahead,” Irish Health Minister Simon Harris said.

Harris was meeting with representatives from the Irish Rugby Football Union on Wednesday to seek information as to the “specific reasoning″ for calling for the cancellation of the match.

Italy has the highest number of cases of the virus in Europe, with more than 300 people diagnosed with infection and 11 deaths linked to the disease.

“I know (it will) cause a great disappointment to many, but it is important to make decisions in relation to public health above and beyond all other considerations,″ Harris told RTE.

Irish Transport Minister Shane Ross told RTE that that while he can’t stop rugby fans from traveling from Italy to Ireland, he did not want to encourage mass gatherings.

“But you can’t stop them coming — that would be absolutely wrong,″ Ross said. “We are keeping the border open. We are not going that far.”