Foot-and-mouth threat to Six Nations

The foot-and-mouth crisis could have a severe effect on the Six Nations rugby union championship it was revealed today.

There are worries about matches involving the Irish because they would encourage thousands of fans to travel to and from Ireland, who are are due to play Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

But that match may be in doubt because of a suspected outbreak of the disease in Anglesey.

The Irish are also due to stage a home game against England in Dublin on 24 March, when a possible 15,000 England fans could make the trip, and finish their fixtures with a game against Scotland in Edinburgh on 7 April.

The Irish Rugby Football Union were today contacting the Irish Department of Agriculture, who will decide if the rugby squad can travel to Cardiff this week.

Allan Hosie, chairman of the Six Nations, said: "We are monitoring the situation."

Meanwhile, the Jockey Club were meeting today to discuss what action racing should take. Today's meeting at Newcastle was cancelled because of the proximity to a confirmed outbreak of the disease.

Thousands of Irish racing fans could be prevented from attending next month's Cheltenham Festival.