Rugby: English proposals rejected, trouble ahead for Six Nations

LONDON - Six Nations chiefs have turned down English proposals to reschedule games postponed because of Britain's foot-and-mouth crisis until as late as possible in the season.

The decision was set to cause more trouble in the constant bickering between English Rugby Football Union (RFU) leaders and the country's clubs which has come to a head in the last week.

After a telephone conference meeting yesterday, the Six Nations Committee announced Ireland would play Wales on April 29, England on May 5 and Scotland on May 12.

The games had been postponed from March 3, March 24 and April 7 respectively because of fears that thousands of travelling fans could carry the highly contagious disease to Ireland.

England had wanted to play their game in Dublin on May 19 to avoid a clash with domestic league playoffs and to allow for more time for the livestock disease to be contained.

The premier league playoffs are due to take place on the weekend of May 5-6. One leading club owner has already said that he will not release top players if the internationals clash with the key money making fixtures.

The last thing England need is a row over players at a time when the clubs have threatened a breakaway from the RFU to run their own affairs after a long dispute about how the domestic game should be organised.

The Six Nations games may still not go ahead on the new dates, however, since Ireland have said they will not play British sides until 30 days after the last case in Britain.

Foot-and-mouth disease can be spread by humans, making the mass movement of fans a threat to livestock. The outbreak, now in its fourth week, shows no sign of abating. British officials said on Wednesday that it had now spread to 214 sites.

"Clearly, these dates would be subject to alteration, if the circumstances relating to the foot-and-mouth outbreak dictated," the Six Nations Committee said in a statement.

The outbreak has spread to northern France. But French Agriculture Minister Jean Glavany gave the official go-ahead for this week's fourth-round clash in Paris between France and Wales.

"There is no objective reason not to play the game," Glavany said. "Every day 60-80,000 people cross the border (into France), so there is no reason for us not to allow seven or eight thousand rugby fans to come to France."

Glavanay said rugby fans coming from Wales would see "all measures" taken at the border to prevent the spread of the livestock disease in France.

France team manager Jo Maso had said earlier the match was certain to be played.

Maso said disinfectant dips could be set up for spectators to walk through if the situation worsened and the ministry felt it necessary. The disease is highly contagious and can be carried on clothing and shoes.

Scotland's clash with Italy at Murrayfield will also go ahead this weekend. Not many fans are expected to travel from Italy.

If the crisis forces more postponements, time will be tight for rugby officials since the British Lions leave for Australia on June 1.

But Six Nations chiefs re-affirmed their commitment to play all the remaining matches in championship.

"The Committee will continue to meet on a regular basis to monitor changing circumstances and their possible impact on the current arrangements for the remaining matches," officials said.

- REUTERS

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