The programme of international matches scheduled within the July 2020 Test window has been postponed due to ongoing government and health agency Covid-19 directives.

World Rugby confirmed the news on Friday morning, with the Tests likely to be rescheduled for October providing government advice and travel restrictions.

‘Extended travel and quarantine restrictions that apply to numerous countries, and concerns over adequate player preparation time, mean that any sort of cross-border international rugby competition cannot be hosted in July,’ read World Rugby’s statement.

‘Monitoring of the potential impact on the remaining 2020 international windows continues in collaboration with international rugby stakeholders and the respective authorities.

‘All parties, including member unions, international competitions, professional club competitions and International Rugby Players, will be involved in the evaluation of potential contingency options with a view to achieving an aligned calendar for the remainder of the year.

‘All decision-making will be entirely contingent on national government travel, quarantine and health advice and important player welfare and hosting considerations in line with return-to-rugby guidance recently published by World Rugby.’

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South Africa were set to host Scotland in a two-Test series and Georgia in a once-off match. New Zealand were scheduled to play Wales twice and Scotland once. Australia was supposed to welcome Ireland for two games and Fiji for one match.

Argentina were penciled in for two Tests against France and one against Italy. And Japan would have played one match against Wales and two against England.

Photo: World Rugby