The chief executive of the Rugby Football Union has rejected calls for the Six
Nations championship to continue without Ireland because of the foot-and-mouth crisis.
Francis Baron dismissed suggestions made by the owner of English club Northampton Saints Keith Barwell that Ireland's refusal to play could lead to fixture chaos in the English league calendar.
Ireland's Six Nations games with England on March 24th and Scotland on April 7th have been postponed because of the outbreak, as was the game with Wales, which was due to take place in Cardiff on March 3rd.
But Baron believes the possibility of neutral venues should be considered if the situation is not resolved soon.
He said: "I don't believe Ireland should withdraw but I do believe if foot-and-mouth continues and Ireland still has problems with fixture dates we ought to consider playing any re-arranged fixtures if necessary on neutral ground."
The Irish Rugby Union have voiced their commitment to complete their Six Nations programme irrespective of the disease.
They have responded to demands from Barwell of the Northampton to withdraw the Irish from the tournament as it was improbable they would be able to play all their matches.
Barwell said: "The fact of the matter is that the Irish have called these games off.
"I believe that they should be told that if they cannot fulfil their fixtures it should return to Five Nations just for this year.
"You can't drag these things on. The administration of rugby is in a poor state as it is."
But the IRFU insisted that with Ireland still in the chase for the Grand Slam their remaining fixtures against England, Scotland and Wales would go ahead.
Spokesman Malochi Quinn said: "Absolutely we are not going to pull out of the Six Nations Championship.
"I know that one of the English newspapers has started a whispering campaign about us withdrawing but there has been no suggestion of that over here."
PA