Scotland's summer trips to South Africa and New Zealand off

Scotland’s test matches against South Africa and New Zealand will not go ahead after World Rugby confirmed summer tours have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Global travel bans, strict quarantine protocols and player safety concerns meant that “cross border international rugby competition cannot be hosted in July”, the body said in a statement.

The Scots were due to play a two-match series against world champions South Africa before facing the All Blacks in a one-off game in July.

England were due to tour Japan as well as Wales, who were also heading to New Zealand, and Ireland were expected in Australia.

A World Rugby statement read: “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.

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

World Rugby said “all parties” would be involved in evaluating in line with “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,” it added.