The Women's Six Nations rugby match between Italy and Wales has been postponed due to the funeral of Pope Francis. Originally scheduled for Saturday, 26 April, in Parma, the match has been impacted by the Vatican's announcement of the Pope's funeral at 10:00 local time on the same day.

Tournament organizers are currently evaluating alternative dates and venues for the match, with Friday evening and Sunday being considered as potential options. This decision comes in the context of Italy's government declaring five days of national mourning leading up to the funeral.

Wales vice-captain Keira Bevan expressed the team's readiness, stating, "There's nothing we can do right now apart from prepare as if the game is going ahead this weekend. We can't think about whether the game is not going ahead or we could get caught out. We are preparing as normal."

The rescheduling highlights the significant cultural and religious events that can influence major sports tournaments, showcasing the flexibility and adaptability of teams and organizers in the face of unforeseen circumstances.