Cup chaos as eight games are scrapped due to Covid

BOTH European Cups lie in tatters today after eight fixtures bit the dust yesterday because of Covid. With the French Government banning all but essential travel to and from the UK from today, European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) — the organisers of the Champions and Challenge Cup — postponed all matches between British and French teams set for this weekend. The announcement came on the same day the Premiership recorded their highest number of positive tests from a round of results, with a staggering 47 players and seven staff members from nine clubs catching the virus this week. Mail Online broke the news yesterday that seven matches, featuring Bath, Sale, Scarlets, Wasps, Bristol, London Irish and Worcester were to be canned, following the earlier cancellation of Racing 92 against Ospreys which the Welsh side forfeited 28-0 due to cases in their camp. After three meetings between EPCR and the French clubs on Thursday and yesterday, competition chiefs confirmed that due to ‘exceptional circumstances’ the games could not be played. ‘This is a consequence of new travel measures between the UK and France,’ their statement read. ‘The board received briefings from the three professional leagues. There were insufficient assurances these matches would not be at risk. ‘Therefore, the intention is to reschedule the following round two fixtures to a later date.’ Crucially, EPCR did not cancel the games, optimistically hoping they can be replayed and broadcast to fulfil contracts. However, there is no free weekend in the calendar from now until late June, so the twolegged last 16 of the Champions Cup may be a one-match affair. As late as midday yesterday, British clubs were being told to proceed with their travel and preparations plans as normal by EPCR — and all announced their virus-free teams. But the games were pulled barely an hour later, so only eight of 18 matches scheduled over the two continental tournaments remained.