Coronavirus: England v Italy Six Nations match and other sports events postponed
Italy is the worst-hit European country, with thousands of people infected and 148 dead.
Thursday 5 March 2020 18:59, UK
England's Six Nations game against Italy in Rome has been postponed over coronavirus fears.
It was previously thought the 14 March clash could be played behind closed doors after the Italian government ordered all sporting events to be held without fans.
The Women's Six Nations match between Italy and England in Padua on 15 March is also believed to have been called off. It follows the previous postponements of the Italy-Scotland and Ireland-Italy games in the tournament.
It comes as the coronavirus outbreak continues to plunge 2020's sporting calendar into disarray, with some of the year's biggest events either being delayed or cancelled.
In addition to the rugby, the Strade Blanche men's and women's races in Italy which were due to be held in the Tuscan city of Siena, were also called off on Thursday.
Race organiser RCS said in a statement that the two races would be rescheduled.
Meanwhile, FIFA has said it will formally propose postponing matches in the Asian FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers following discussions with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Football's world governing body said in a statement: "For both FIFA and the AFC, the well-being and health of all individuals involved in football matches remains the highest priority, and as such, a formal proposal to postpone upcoming matches in the Asian FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers will now be shared with the relevant member associations."
In England, the Premier League has not changed any fixtures but has scrapped the traditional pre-match handshake between players.
More than 3,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Italy and 148 have died, making it the worst-hit European country.
On Wednesday, the country's government announced all schools and universities would be closed until 15 March and 11 towns in northern Italy are on lockdown.
Next week's Six Nations game is the second involving Italy's team to be affected by COVID-19.
This weekend's rugby match between Ireland and Italy, due to be held in Dublin, had already been called off.
Ireland's Public Health Emergency team said the fixture would be "a significant risk because a very large number of people would be travelling from what is now an affected region".
Former England coach Clive Woodward has urged organisers to call off the tournament.
In a sports column for the Daily Mail, he wrote: "There are some things much more important than sport and when something like the coronavirus comes along, rugby has to step into line, take advice from the experts and do what is right."
It is not yet clear whether the remaining Six Nations clashes are under threat.
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The England side have won two and lost one of their games so far and were due to be playing their final match.