![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/2.49762753.jpg\")
England\u2019s Six Nations game against Italy on March 14 in Rome has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, the PA news agency understands.<\/p>\nEngland\u2019s Six Nations game against Italy on March 14 in Rome has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, the PA news agency understands.<\/p>\n
Tournament organizers faced the option of playing the game behind closed doors at the Stadio Olimpico or delaying it until later in the year and have chosen the latter option.<\/p>\n
Official confirmation of the decision is expected from Six Nations later today.<\/p>\n
Shaping the decision is the Italian Rugby Federation\u2019s desire to retain the revenue generated by a lucrative home clash with Eddie Jones\u2019 title hopefuls.<\/p>\n
By staging the game behind closed doors, the cash-strapped union would have missed out on gate receipts for a 73,000 sell-out.<\/p>\n
It is the second game of the 2020 Six Nations to be postponed after Ireland\u2019s clash with Italy in Dublin on Saturday was also called off on public health grounds.<\/p>\n
The decision comes after an Italian government decree issued on Wednesday night said Serie A matches would not be open to the public until April 3 in an attempt to halt the spread of Covid-19.<\/p>\n
Italy is the European country most affected by the coronavirus with in excess of 3,000 people infected \u2013 a number that includes over 100 deaths. Eleven towns in northern Italy are in lockdown.<\/p>\n
Six Nations organizers are being guided by government directives in deciding the fate of games and, in light of the decree, activated their contingency plan to find a new date for games affected by the virus.<\/p>\n
As yet there is no indication whether the surviving four games of the competition are under threat.<\/p>\n
Six Nations chiefs now face the challenge of finding a date to re-stage England\u2019s visit to Rome knowing there is not much room in the calendar to accommodate the match.<\/p>\n
The postponements mean it will be some time before a winner of the 2020 Six Nations is established.<\/p>\n
England face Wales at Twickenham on Saturday needing victory to keep them in title contention.<\/p>\n
The Women\u2019s Six Nations match between Italy and England in Padua on March 15 is also believed to have been postponed.<\/p>\n