EPCR – the governing body of European rugby – have today announced their plans to continue with the Champions and Challenge Cup quarter finals as scheduled.
Challenge Cup and Champions Cup to go ahead
Following the cancellations of Six Nations games among other sporting events EPCR has today announced that they plan to go ahead with the scheduled fixtures in their competitions.
A statement from EPCR read;
“It is currently envisaged that the Heineken Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter final matches will go ahead as scheduled on the weekend of 3/4/5 April.
“EPCR intends to complete all eight fixtures and will continue to monitor developments while liaising with the relevant league and union bodies, as well as governments and local authorities.
“EPCR is fully supportive of any preventative measures that might be required in the interests of overall public health in relation to Covid-19 and will respect instructions provided by authorities.”
Government instructions could still scupper fixture list
Governments across Europe are starting to limit mass gatherings from occurring and as such any similar ruling from the UK, Irish or French authorities could scupper the fixture list.
Mass indoor gatherings of over 5,000 have been banned in France, but this won’t affect the rugby yet with those games listed as ‘outdoor’ events.
There are no such measures in place within the UK/Ireland yet and fans will be hoping that games go ahead to avoid extended seasons and disruption to travel plans and ticket usage.
Champions Cup quarter finals
- Clermont Auvergne vs Racing 92
- Exeter Chiefs vs Northampton Saints
- Leinster vs Saracens
- Toulouse vs Ulster
Challenge Cup final eight
- Toulon vs Scarlets
- Leicester Tigers vs Castres
- Bordeaux-Begles vs Edinburgh
- Bristol Bears vs Dragons
Six Nations games cancelled
Ireland’s round four clash with Italy was postponed and Italy vs England and France vs Ireland have seen their games cancelled for this weekend.
The Dragons game against Benetton was postponed by a week, but has since been played.
There has been minimal disruption amongst other domestic leagues, but sports fans sit on tenterhooks when awaiting on European fixtures.
“Main photo credit”
