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'I'm usually a private person but the actions of some people are really starting to worry me'

By Ian Cameron
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Ireland wing Keith Earls has taken to Twitter to make a heartfelt plea to the general public as the coronavirus spreads across the globe.

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One of Earls’ two daughters suffers with a serious lung condition and he has asked the public to play their part in limiting the spread of disease.

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Despite the Irish government putting in place stringent social distancing guidelines this week, footage of people socialising as normal in tightly packed pubs have been circulating on social media throughout Ireland.

Earls took to Twitter to ask people to ‘take action’ against the spread of the disease.

“As a father of a child with a serious respiratory lung condition and many others like her, I urge the public to please listen to the professionals.

“I will do everything I can to protect her.

“Everyone has a part to play. I’m usually a private person but the actions of some people are really starting to worry me.

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“This is an extremely worrying and scary time and we all need to take action.”

The coronavirus outbreak has decimated the sporting schedule and left major doubts over some of 2020’s biggest events, with all major rugby tournaments worldwide now suspended.

SANZAAR made the decision to suspend the 2020 Super Rugby tournament at the conclusion of this weekend’s matches for the foreseeable future.

The Six Nations game between Wales and Scotland in Cardiff on Saturday was postponed on Friday, joining the games between France and Ireland and Italy against England.

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The Guinness PRO14 was suspended indefinitely.

Sunday’s Premiership Rugby Cup final between Sale and Harlequins was originally given the go-ahead on Friday, only to be postponed following an individual on staff developing symptoms consistent with coronavirus.

– additional reporting PA

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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