England’s Six Nations match against Italy on 14 March will reportedly be postponed after an emergency meeting of the tournament chiefs.

The news comes after the Italian government announced that all sporting events – including Six Nations matches – would be played either behind closed doors or suspended until 3 April.

It would mean that the clash between England and Italy next weekend would have been played in an empty Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

However, Six Nations organisers held an emergency meeting last night and decided to rather postpone the match than see it played inside an empty stadium.

England face Wales at Twickenham on Saturday, before they were scheduled to travel to Rome. There is a possibility that next weekend’s match could be called off entirely, but that is slim as Six Nations organisers have reiterated their desire to see all games played this year.

Next Saturday’s game was also set to take special significance for Italy as it would be the final Test appearance of veteran No 8 Sergio Parisse. The 36-year-old has not been involved in Italy’s campaign this year to date, but was going to make a farewell appearance in front of his home fans in Rome.

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