The IRFU have confirmed that they expect the scheduled Six Nations game against Italy to go ahead as planned.

The coronavirus has spread to northern Italy with over 220 cases confirmed with seven people dead.

🚨 Important Announcement! 🚨

Both fixtures set to take place in Italy this weekend have been postponed due to the restrictions enforced by national and local authorities dealing with the threat posed by the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

— United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) February 24, 2020

There have been wholesale cancellations of sporting events and travel restrictions in the area. This includes the postponement of this weekend's PRO14 games including Ulster's scheduled trip to Treviso and Ospreys' game against Zebre.

A dozen towns in the north of the country are in lockdown with Irish people advised not to travel to these areas.

No Change

Off The Ball contacted the IRFU regarding the Italy games for the men, women and Under-20 sides, and they confirmed that currently, the games go ahead.

"There is no change to the schedule games to go ahead as planned at this point," read the brief update.

Andy Farrell will be keen to have the game go ahead after the loss at Twickenham at the weekend ending the team's Grand Slam hopes.

There have been calls to rotate the side following the lethargic loss to England and a game against the Italians would be an obvious venue for rotation.

The rookie coach has said he will not make any "rash" selection decisions for the Italy game.

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