Champions Cup and Challenge Cup suspended for two rounds over coronavirus concerns European Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup temporarily suspended; Next two rounds of fixtures postponed; French government had advised their teams not to take part in cross-border matches; Gallagher Premiership to take two-week, mid-season break
Last Updated: 12/01/21 8:07am Exeter won the Champions Cup title last season
The Champions Cup and Challenge Cup have been suspended temporarily amid the ongoing impact of coronavirus, competition organisers European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) has announced.
Two rounds of pool games in both European club competitions - due to be held on the weekends of January 15-17 and 22-24 - have been postponed as authorities react to the impact of a new strain of Covid-19.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Ethan McIlroy continues to show his promise for Ulster. By Murray Kinsella Saturday 9 Jan 2021, 9:30 AM Jan 9th 2021, 9:30 AM 6,997 Views 16 Comments
Dave Kearney scored an excellent first-half try for Leinster last night.
Image: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO
Image: Laszlo Geczo/INPHO
NO ONE IN the Leinster squad has played as much as Dave Kearney has so far this season, with the Louth man racking up 719 minutes of action across nine starts in all competitions.
The 31-year-old doesn’t tend to grab the headlines but he has been prolific once again in this campaign, with his superb finish against Ulster last night bringing his try count to seven for 2020/21.
Coronavirus: French sports ministry wants rugby games against British clubs postponed Concerns over the new strain of coronavirus prompted the Ministries of Interior, Health and Sport to hold talks with EPCR, who run the Heineken Champions and Challenge Cups, and LNR, the representative body for the Top 14
Last Updated: 09/01/21 9:03pm 1:49 The French Sports Ministry is recommending that matches against British sides are postponed because of the new strain of Covid-19 The French Sports Ministry is recommending that matches against British sides are postponed because of the new strain of Covid-19
The French sports ministry is recommending that games against British clubs in this season s European competitions are postponed due to issues surrounding Covid-19, according to sources in France.
Champions Cup under threat as EPCR wait on French government decision
The Top 14 clubs could be forced to withdraw from two rounds of games this month. By Murray Kinsella Friday 8 Jan 2021, 3:00 PM Jan 8th 2021, 1:33 PM 16,765 Views 7 Comments
The Heineken Champions Cup trophy.
Image: Ryan Hiscott/INPHO
Image: Ryan Hiscott/INPHO
Updated Jan 8th 2021, 3:00 PM
EPCR IS WAITING on a decision from the French government as to whether Top 14 clubs will be able to fulfill two rounds of Champions Cup and Challenge Cup pool fixtures this month.
The European competitions would be hugely disrupted if the French clubs are forbidden from playing international games amidst the latest wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.