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 Northampton Saints, Keith Barwell, that Ireland's refusal to play could lead to fixture chaos in the English league calendar. However Baron believes the possibility of neutral venues should be considered if the situation is not resolved soon. "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."

As the foot-and-mouth crisis deepened with news that the first case had been discovered on French soil, Baron added it was in the interests of the game that the tournament was completed as soon as possible. "We're talking very closely with our colleagues and other unions with the Six Nations and we believe that it is essential that the tournament is finished this season before the Lions go on tour," he added on Radio Five live. "But we must finish the championship this year, that is essential for the health of rugby in the Northern Hemisphere."

Meanwhile the Irish Rugby Union have voiced their commitment to complete their Six Nations programme, irrespective of the disease. They have responded to demands from Saints chief Barwell 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."

The Irish agricultural ministry recommended to the IRFU that 30 days should elapse from the date of the last confirmed case of foot-and-mouth disease in the UK before international fixtures with UK-based teams are resumed.

"The rugby administrators have no chance to organise another match if they are given a date of 30 days after the last case of foot-and-mouth. You could go 29 days and then there's another outbreak and, of course,
there's the Lions tour to consider," Barwell added:

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."