Rugby bosses set to confirm Saints' season will be suspended for at least four weeks

It is being widely reported that rugby bosses are meeting on Monday morning to discuss the short term future of the game amid the Covid-19 outbreak that has decimated sporting calendars across the globe.

The Cobblers' EFL season has already been put on hold until April 4 at the earliest, and it is the same for the Premier League and the professional national football leagues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The London Marathon has been postponed until October, there is talk of this summer's Euro 2020 football championships being put back a year, while Formula One has cancelled its opening four races.

Now, it is likely to be confirmed that Premiership and European games are to be suspended for what could be at least a month after Pro14 and Top14 fixtures were suspended last week.

That followed on from the postponement of the final round of Six Nations matches, and also Sunday's Premiership Rugby Cup final between Sale and Harlequins.

The Guardian and the Daily Mail are both reporting that the suspension will be announced imminently after Monday morning's meeting, but some are suggesting that a 10-12 week break may be the better option.

Each team in the the Premiership has nine matches left to play.

If the league is suspended for four weeks, then Saints would postpone Premiership Rugby matches against Wasps (March 21), London Irish (March 28) and Bath (April 10), as well as their quarter-final against Exeter Chiefs in the Heineken Champions Cup (April 4).

In a statement issued before the weekend, Premiership Rugby said it was the working closely with various bodies as the coronavirus pandemic worsens.

The statement said: "The welfare of our fans, players and staff is our first concern, and we are working in close contact with DCMS, Public Health England and World Health Organisation; following all the experts’ advice."

Saints also issued a statement on Friday, which read: "As things stand, the club’s Gallagher Premiership match against Wasps at Franklin’s Gardens is still scheduled to be played on Saturday, March 21.

“However, this is an evolving situation, and the club is following the recommendation of Premiership Rugby Ltd – who, in turn, are following government advice and are in close contact with DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport).

“The welfare of our supporters, players and staff is paramount, and so Northampton Saints are fully supportive of any preventative measures that might be required in relation to COVID-19 – and will respect any instructions provided by the government and the league.”

Due to the Rugby World Cup being played in the autumn, the start of the Premiership season was delayed, and the competition has a later than usual finish date this season, with the final at Twickenham scheduled for Saturday, June 20.