Rugby: Rugby chiefs snub Six Nations dates

The Rugby Football Union have called for Ireland's postponed Six Nations fixtures to be put off until the end of May.

The Rugby Football Union has called for Ireland's postponed Six Nations fixtures to be put off until the end of May.

With the Six Nations Committee pushing for a re-start for Ireland as early as April 25, and the game against England pencilled in for May 5, the RFU have appealed for caution.

"We understand the desire of the Six Nations Committee to agree dates for the delayed Irish fixtures as soon as possible," said RFU chief executive Francis Baron.

"But given the increasing uncertainty surrounding the foot-and-mouth problem we strongly believe that the games should be rescheduled to the end of May.

"We believe that it is essential that a sufficient period of time is allowed for this problem to be contained.

"Based on the current information available from MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) we believe it is unlikely that the fixture (Ireland v England) could be played as early as May 5.

"Because of the uncertainty over the foot and mouth position the RFU advises all England supporters not to make travel arrangements until the new date has been confirmed as acceptable by the Irish government."

Six Nations chief executive Roger Pickering said in a statement that the implications of the epidemic were continually being reviewed.

He said: "On the assumption that the conditions set by the Irish Government concerning a cessation of outbreaks are met, the re-arranged matches involving Ireland are scheduled to take place on the previously announced weekends".

The plans, at the moment, are as follows: Sunday April 29 - Wales v Ireland (1400); Saturday, May 5- Ireland v England (1600); Saturday, May 12 - Scotland v Ireland (1315).

The statement went on: "Clearly, these dates would be subject to alteration, if the circumstances relating to the foot and mouth outbreak dictated.

"The committee confirmed that this coming weekend's matches between Scotland and Italy and France and Wales will go ahead as planned, and re-affirmed its commitment to all the remaining matches in the 2001 championship being played.

"The committee will continue to meet on a regular basis to monitor changing circumstances and their possible impact on the current arrangements for the remaining Lloyds TSB Six Nations matches."