Saints monitoring 'evolving situation' but say next week's Wasps clash is still on 'as things stand'

It has been a dramatic day of announcements in sport across the globe, and in British football in particular, as the spread of coronavirus escalates in the UK.

Programmes in all professional football leagues in England and Scotland, including the Premier League, EFL and Premiership north of the border, have been suspended until at least the beginning of April.

In rugby things have been a little quieter, but Saturday's scheduled Six Nations clash between Wales and Scotland in Cardiff was also postponed, a little more than 24 hours before kick-off.

That decision belatedly on from the early calling off of the matches between Italy and England in Rome and France and Ireland in Paris.

But Sunday's Premiership Rugby Cup final between Sale and Harlequins at the AJ Bell Stadium in Sale is currently still on despite the widespread cancellation of other sporting events across the UK and beyond.

Friday's final day of the Cheltenham Festival also went ahead, with the official Government advice stating that sporting events can currently still go ahead.

Saints, who are without a scheduled fixture this weekend, are due to return to Premiership action next Saturday when they hosts Wasps at the Gardens.

The club has confirmed that at the moment the game is still on, but that things could quickly change and that they will be 'fully supportive' of any measures that the game's governing body introduce.

“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," a Saints spokesperson said.

“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.”