European games set for dates in September

THIS season’s European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup quarter-finals will not be played before September after the French government banned all sport for the next four months.

The last eight of the competitions, involving six French teams, were due to take place from April 3-5.

But they had already been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Organisers European Professional Club Rugby still want to complete this season’s competitions.

Irish sides Leinster and Ulster as well as English teams Saracens, Northampton and Exeter are all due to play in the Champions Cup last eight.

In the Challenge Cup, Welsh clubs Scarlets and Dragons, Scottish side Edinburgh and Premiership teams Leicester and Bristol have all qualified for the knockout stages.

The finals of the two competitions had originally been scheduled to take place in Marseille next month.

If the competitions are now completed in September or October, it would have a knock-on effect on the 2020-21 tournaments, which are due to begin on October 16.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said on Tuesday that the 2019-20 sporting season was over as he announced plans to ease France’s coronavirus lockdown.

Earlier, it was announced that French rugby union’s top two divisions – the Top 14 and Pro D2 – would be abandoned for the season.

Bordeaux Begles are currently leading the Top 14, eight points clear of Lyon.

The league winners are usually decided via semi-finals and finals, but the league’s organisers are yet to announce whether any club will be named as champions.

■ EDINBURGH have announced that nine players will be leaving the club at the end of their deals.

With rugby suspended indefinitely, the Scottish club are already making plans for the 2020-21 season.

Matt Scott, who will be joining Leicester, John Barclay, Dougie Fife, Simon Hickey, Cammy Fenton, Stan South, Sam Thomson, Jason Baggott and Pietro Ceccarelli are all departing.

Head coach Richard Cockerill said: “This period of the season is never easy for players, but all move on with our upmost respect for their hard work and commitment during their time at Edinburgh.

“These guys all leave having given their all to the club and that’s all we can ever ask. It’s been a pleasure to coach them and we thank them for their professionalism and attitude.”