We do see rugby returning this year, say PRO14 chiefs

GUINNESS PRO14 organisers have reiterated their intention to resume the competition later this year.

There had been some recent speculation that Leinster were to be awarded the title but that is not on the immediate agenda. The PRO14 are in constant contact with the relevant authorities, and they remain confident that rugby can be given the green light in 2020.

The tournament faces several hurdles, not least because of its cross-border nature; however, they are optimistic that they can finish the season, rather than scrapping it.

On Monday, the IRFU told their players that they will not be returning to training next Monday as planned and are now looking at an August 10 restart. “We do see rugby coming back this year,” Dermot Rigley, the PRO14’s commercial director, told Sport for Business. “We are working with the chief medical officers across each union, World Rugby, and working with the health authorities in every territory to make sure we get this right.

“The Irish Government gave a date of August 10. We are working with them on when the elite game actually comes back. We are waiting on that. We do see a return to play, but how that looks is the milliondollar question.”

The PRO14 made the early decision to scrap its grand final, which was due to be held in Cardiff next month, but Rigley confirmed that all possibilities are being explored.

“We all want to get it back, but we want to get it right,” he added.

“That could be a combination of initially behind closed doors, limited crowds, but definitely we want to see rugby back this year, and that means finishing off this season and then starting next season.”