Tournament organisers have announced that the postponed RBS 6 Nations game between France and Ireland will not take place next weekend.

It follows a meeting of the Six Nations Council on Monday, almost 48 hours after Saturday's match at Stade de France in Paris was postponed by English referee Dave Pearson 10 minutes before the scheduled 9pm (local time) kick-off.

Saturday, March 3 remains the most likely new date, although there will be no confirmation of that - or otherwise - until Tuesday at the earliest.

In a statement, the Six Nations said: "Further to a meeting of the Six Nations Council today, we can confirm that the postponed RBS 6 Nations France versus Ireland match will not take place this weekend (Feb 17/18/19).

"A further meeting of the Council will take place tomorrow to hopefully resolve the issues of rescheduling and ticket policy.

"There are very significant logistical issues arising from this situation, and we would wish to be in a position to give a comprehensive clarification following the meeting."

March 3, which is thought to be the favoured date, might not prove a trouble-free alternative.

That weekend clashes with a round of domestic Top 14 rugby action in France, and leading clubs are thought to be vehemently opposed to losing their star players for fixtures that include Clermont Auvergne versus Toulouse, Brive against Stade Francais and Agen against Perpignan.

A March 3 rescheduling, accompanied by a probable early evening kick-off, would also see France and Ireland playing Six Nations games on four successive weekends.

There is no Six Nations programme next weekend, but France could then be left facing Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales on the bounce, with Ireland meeting Italy, France, Scotland and finally England.