Disease could ruin Ireland match

Rugby authorities are hopeful that this weekend's match between Ireland and Wales will not see the spread of the foot-and-mouth disease which is ravaging the nation.

The Irish Government are worried that the thousands of Irishmen expected to attend Saturday's rugby match against Wales in Cardiff could carry the disease back across the Irish Sea.

Irish rugby officials met with their government yesterday to discuss the possibility of postponing Saturday's Six Nations match.

But Wales team manager David Pickering said: 'We know the IRFU are in contact with the Irish Government, but all we can do is go on normally with our preparations.'

A Welsh Rugby Union spokesman added: 'We are aware of the situation. There are very serious implications that are obviously more important than an international rugby fixture.'

There is also the possibility of racing's Cheltenham Festival taking place without the Irish, including their three-times champion hurdler Istabraq, who is seeking an unpredented fourth title.