Champions and Challenge Cups suspended

Following the announcement that the French Top14 teams have withdrawn from Rounds 3 and 4 of the Champions Cup due to Covid-19 concerns, the EPCR has seen fit the suspend the tournament in its entirety, i.e; no Champions Cup games will be taking place for now.

The EPCR and the Ligue Nationale de Rugby met last week where the French ministries of the Interior, Health and Sport and even the President’s office was represented. The EPCR’s Covid-19 protocols were updated and presented to the French authorities to dovetail with the governmental guidelines, especially regarding testing and tracing measures.

The discovery of a new strain of the virus prompted the French government to instruct the rugby clubs to suspend their participation in European tournaments for the month of January.

Against the backdrop of France’s decision, the EPCR followed suit and has suspended both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup tournaments.

EPCR has conveyed that it is committed to the formulation of a solution which will see both competitions resumed and completed in a manner which will suit all those involved.