RUGBY’S 2-WEEK CIRCUIT-BREAKER
PREMIERSHIP rugby clubs have agreed to a two-week ‘circuit break’ in the season rather than bringing forward league fixtures following the postponement of european games last night. As expected, organisers european Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) confirmed that the heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup would be suspended, in light of a French government edict preventing their teams from participating due to Covid fears. Several Premiership directors of rugby
had urged officials to fill the void, but their pleas were ignored, amid speculation that struggling clubs opted to oppose a plan which would have allowed the top sides more matches with their Test players involved.
While the Top 14 league in France moved swiftly to rearrange previously postponed matches, the top division in England will be in hibernation mode, despite five recent fixtures being cancelled — with Leicester, London Irish and Northampton each having two enforced fallow weekends.
The decision has revealed a divide among the clubs, left broadcasters BT Sport with an empty rugby schedule and frustrated fans stuck in lockdown.
In a statement released by Premiership Rugby, chief executive Darren Childs said: ‘This break in the season gives us the chance to hand much-needed rest to our hard-working players, management, staff and officials.’
However, many of them have had considerable rest of late and wanted to play on. The clubs riding high in the league were united in pressing for fixtures to be brought forward, rather than waiting until the end of January for the next scheduled round of matches.
Bristol’s director of rugby Pat Lam had urged: ‘Let’s get it on,’ and yesterday that sentiment was echoed by his counterpart at Wasps, Lee Blackett. Asked about it hours before the decision was announced, Blackett said: ‘Players genuinely want to play, and if we don’t play, our players will be gutted.’
However, Blackett conceded that there might not be a united outlook among the elite clubs, adding: ‘If we’re being honest, it’s about where you are. We’re on a roll and feel with our internationals here we want to take as much advantage as possible before they go to the Six Nations. Also, as a supporter, surely you want to see Premiership sides putting international players out?’
That will not be happening and the Premiership stand- down decision has also raised fears that the remainder of the European season might not be happening either, due to calendar congestion. But organisers are determined to ensure that postponement does not become eventual cancellation, as they announced: ‘EPCR remains committed to trying to find a solution which will enable it to resume and complete the tournaments as soon as practicable.’
Sportsmail has been informed that one possible scenario would see a round of 16 take place in April, based on current pool rankings, before quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final.
Yet, the Premiership circuit break means they have not freed up weekends for use at a later stage.
The Six Nations is still set to go ahead as planned. There is a meeting today, but it is understood that disruption to the women’s and Under 20s events will be up for discussion, and that the preparations for the men’s tournament are unaffected, for now at least.
England may have to start the championship without Kyle Sinckler, as the Bristol prop will face a hearing today after being charged with ‘failing to respect the authority of the match official’ during his side’s victory at Exeter last Saturday.
The 27-year- old shouted ‘are you f***ing serious’ at referee — and former team-mate — Karl Dickson. He later issued a public apology, but his disciplinary record will count against him, as will the absence of fixtures before England face Scotland at Twickenham on February 6.