IRFU boss says government should issue them with 'directive' on whether to cancel Italy match

IRFU boss Philip Browne ahead of his meeting with Health Minister Simon Harris today. Image: TheJournal.ie IRFU boss Philip Browne ahead of his meeting with Health Minister Simon Harris today. Image: TheJournal.ie Updated 32 minutes ago

“At the end of the day, the government are here to lead the country in relation to public health decisions, and I think it is somewhat unfair to be asking the IRFU to be making decisions like this. Ultimately, we will comply with whatever directive we are given,” said Browne prior to attending a meeting with Health Minister Harris.

“It’s a very difficult situation for everybody but of course health is the most important issue at stake here.”“It’s breaking out in different places every day. We have to do everything we can to ensure it doesn’t come here and it doesn’t spread here.”Harris announced the decision to recommend cancelling the match on last night’s Six One news.

Harris has this morning defended making the comments before first speaking to the IRFU, saying his officials were “trying to contact” the organisation at the time. 90 cases have been tested in Ireland, but all have come back negative. No one in Ireland has yet tested positive for the coronavirus.

Pointless cancelling game. How many Italians/Irish flying each way daily?

May cancel all foreign excursions for politicians on paddy's day aswel

Why in God’s name is this still being debated? ‘Recommend’? 🙈 Are they afraid to make a decision on it? Sometimes I think Simon Harris’ main objective is not to be unpopular. This decision is not an IRFU decision, it’s a government decision.

It has to be cancelled, or health service can't handle the common flu let alone this virus.

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