The PRO14 have released a statement to confirm that tonight’s game between the Dragons and Benetton will proceed as scheduled despite the recent outbreak of the coronavirus.
Four matches in the competition have been called off so far that were set to take place in Italy due to the large number of people affected by the virus in Italy to date.
Along with that the Italian men’s, women’s and U-20’s games with Ireland and England in the Six Nations over the next two weeks’ have been postponed due to the virus.
However, the competition organisers released a statement this morning to ensure that the game this evening will be played.
“Protecting the well-being of participating clubs’ players, other staff and supporters is an absolute priority for PRO14 Rugby which has been carefully monitoring the situation in relation to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. It is satisfied that allowing the fixture to proceed this evening as scheduled is consistent with the very latest guidance from the UK government and specific recommendations received from Public Health Wales. There is currently no direction from the UK government that prohibits travel from Italy in relation to the outbreak. However, in keeping with the UK government guidance and on the advice of Public Health Wales, relayed to via the Welsh Rugby Union (current arrangement with all participating unions), PRO14 Rugby has requested and received written assurances from Benetton Rugby that (among other things) nobody in their travelling party has presented any symptoms associated with the virus, knowingly been in contact with any person with the virus and/or lived in or travelled to any of the so-called ‘lockdown’ areas in northern Italy since February 19. Benetton Rugby have been also instructed to, and have, actively discouraged its supporters from travelling to this fixture. PRO14 Rugby has taken these actions in order to protect the well-being of our participating clubs’ players, other staff and supporters,” the statement read.
Despite tonight’s game going ahead there are growing concerns that more games will be postponed or even cancelled due to the virus with the number of people infected becoming larger each day.
As seen with the Six Nations it could cause a major fixture pile-up or games being classed as 0-0 draws, but what happens next remains to be seen.
