France’s game with Wales is still on

France confirmed last night that their Six Nations clash with Wales next week would go ahead despite the ongoing foot and mouth crisis but plans to finish the tournament this season still look in serious doubt.

"So far nothing has changed. It means the game is maintained on the schedule until new advice," a spokesman for the French agriculture ministry said.

However, Six Nations officials are to hold another meeting next week to discuss the championship after Ireland postponed their games against England on March 24 and Scotland on April 7.

The disease must be stamped out before the end of March to allow Ireland’s game against Wales to take place and by the start of April for the England game to go ahead at the start of May.

However, Britain’s chief veterinary officer Jim Scudamore believes there is no end in sight to the outbreak. "This outbreak is going to last for a long time but I can’t tell you how long," he said.

Ireland are looking to arrange a match against Southern Hemisphere opposition as Warren Gatland tries to keep his players match fit after the postponement of their remaining Six Nations games.

Irish officials, attending the IRB conference in London are hoping to set up a fixture against a Super 12 side in South Africa but travelling to New Zealand or Argentina has not been ruled out.

IRFU President Eddie Coleman said: "We are looking for a meaningful match against serious opposition. We have an obligation to ensure that the national team is well prepared when the Six Nations Championship eventually resumes as we all hope it will.

"Internal training sessions or a warm-up game amongst the squads is not suitable so we have got to explore other avenues."

Coleman also revealed he was hopeful that domestic rugby could restart next week - with the Schools Cup competitions in the provinces set to resume. "I would hope that the AIB League could begin again in two weeks if nothing else happens. It is a question now of how we can still fit the league in and make it meaningful. It’s not anyone’s fault that we find ourselves in the middle of a crisis. If it means we have to extend the season then that is what we will do."

Both the Stormers and the Bulls (Cape Town and Pretoria respectively) are without a Super 12 fixture on the weekend of 30/31 March. The bye weekend for the Cats (Bloemfontein) and Sharks (Durban) is not until 4/5 May.