Italy v Scotland in women's Six Nations postponed amid coronavirus lockdown

Rome, Feb 23, 2020 (AFP) - The women's Six Nations clash between Italy and Scotland scheduled for Sunday has been postponed because of the surge in the number of cases of the coronavirus Italy, tournament organisers have announced.

"The Women's Six Nations match between Italy and Scotland scheduled to be played today (Sunday) will not take place," Six Nations Rugby said in a statement.

"Six Nations Rugby are looking at options with the FIR and Scottish Rugby to reschedule this fixture at a later date."

The match had been scheduled to take place in Legnano, north of Milan in the Lombardy region, which has been the epicentre of the outbreak of the so-called COVID-19 virus in Italy.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte had announced late on Saturday evening that all sporting events in the Veneto and Lombardy regions of northern Italy would be suspended on Sunday.

Three men's Serie A football matches on Sunday have also been postponed including title-chasing Inter Milan's match against Sampdoria at the San Siro.

Atalanta v Sassuolo and Hellas Verona v Cagliari were also pushed back to avoid the spread of the virus with over 100 confirmed cases in an outbreak that has claimed two lives in Italy.

Inter's home Europa League match scheduled for Thursday against Bulgarian club Ludogorets is now also in doubt.

AC Milan also announced on Sunday the postponement of its women's team match against Fiorentina.

Saturday saw more than 40 amateur and youth matches in the regions called off because of virus fears.

The Serie B game between Ascoli and Cremonese was also postponed.

The number of coronavirus cases in Italy has risen to over 100, Lombardy regional president Attilio Fontana said on Sunday.

Fontana told SkyTG24 television there were 89 cases in Lombardy alone.

On Saturday, authorities had said there were 79 cases in Italy, but that number has continued to grow.

ea/td