Weekend European fixtures between French and English clubs postponed

All second round ties in both the Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup between French and UK clubs scheduled for this weekend have been postponed.

This followed a meeting of the EPCR board on Friday after which the tournament’s governing body said that “due to current exceptional circumstances, Round 2 matches in the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup between French and UK clubs scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday are postponed.

“This is a consequence of new travel measures between the UK and France which are being introduced by the French Government.

“The Board received briefings from the three professional leagues which included updated information from the respective governments, however, there were insufficient assurances that these matches would not be at risk.

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“Therefore, the intention is to reschedule the following Round 2 fixtures to a later date:

Champions Cup

Bath Rugby v Stade Rochelais

Sale Sharks v ASM Clermont Auvergne

Scarlets v Union Bordeaux-Bègles

Stade Toulousain v Wasps

Stade Francais Paris v Bristol Bears

Challenge Cup

Worcester Warriors v Biarritz Olympique

London Irish v CA Brive

“All other Round 2 matches scheduled for this evening (Friday), and over the weekend, will go ahead as planned.”

This means that the decision, which followed a crisis meeting among the presidents of the LNR clubs in light of those French government travel restrictions, does not affect tonight’s Ulster-Northampton tie, nor the Munster-Castres game on Saturday at Thomond Park and the meeting between Leinster and Connacht at Welford Road on Sunday.

That the French-UK games are being postponed suggests that Premiership Rugby and LNR will look to rearrange games, which will raise the hackles of both Leinster and the Ospreys given their matches against Montpellier and Racing 92 were cancelled, with their opponents awarded 28-0 bonus point wins.