Exemptions set to pave way for Ireland-France Six Nations tie

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has intimated that elite athlete will be granted dispensations from mandatory hotel quarantine rules

Ireland's Aoife McDermott jumps highest to win a line out during the Women's Six Nations match at Cardiff Arms Park against Wales. Picture: Nick Potts/PA

Concerns over next weekend’s Women’s Six Nations game between Ireland and France, and Leinster’s European Cup semi-final away to La Rochelle, have been eased by suggestions that elite athletes are to be exempted from mandatory hotel quarantine.

New regulations come into force this Thursday which would have put these events, and others that include the Irish Open golf tournament, at risk but a solution appears to have been worked out between the Government and various sporting bodies.