New foot-and-mouth threat to Six Nations

13 April 2012

The spectre of the foot-and-mouth disease is again hanging over the delayed Six Nations championship with a new outbreak in Wales threatening further problems for last season's tournament.

Irish agriculture chiefs blocked the movement of supporters following widespread outbreaks in Britain during earlier this year and three matches, including England's Grand Slam decider with Ireland in Dublin are still to be played.

That game is scheduled for 20 October, but Irish rugby and government officials may be forced to review all the new dates following the latest outbreak.

A total of 4,000 sheep are to be slaughtered on the Brecon Beacons after footand-mouth disease tests proved positive.

The announcement by the Wales Rural Affairs Minister Carwyn Jones comes after blood test results from sheep in five areas of the mountains showed a significant number of positive results.

Mr Jones said: " Unfortunately, this means that these sheep will have to be slaughtered in order to prevent further spread of foot-and-mouth disease in the area."

The other two outstanding Six Nations matches are due to be played on 22 September (Scotland v Ireland) with Wales scheduled to meet Ireland on 13 October.

The England squad have an additional incentive to hope their game goes ahead.

They will each pick up £50,000 for winning the Slam, but the money can only be paid out if all five matches are played.

The Irish government has recently relaxed movement restrictions on livestock in their own country but the criteria for allowing Six Nations matches to go ahead still remain in force and they revolve around the time between the last recorded outbreak and the planned matches.

Meanwhile, London Irish will play a Munster XV on 21 August as part of their pre-season build up and this will be the club's first fixture in Ireland since the game went professional six years ago.

The Irish squad will be based in Kinsale from 19-23 August, home of the famous rugby sevens tournament, and contains nine internationals Justin Bishop, Kieron Dawson Eddie Halvey, Conor O'Shea (all Ireland), Chris Sheasby, Rob Hardwick (both England), Naka Drotske, Brendan Venter (both South Africa) and Steve Williams (Wales).

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New foot-and-mouth threat to Six Nations

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