Springbok De Allende joins Munster after fortnight in quarantine

looks likely that EirSport will have to bid for the rights to broadcast those games with RTÉ and Sky Sports also in the mix. The potential for a fullyloaded derby between Munster and Leinster is a lucrative proposition for broadcasters in the current climate and the IRFU, which has sustained heavy financial losses following the postponement of Ireland’s final Six Nations games against Italy and France in March, could look to bolster their coffers by selling the TV rights for the inter-pros to the highest bidder. Pro14 chiefs remain committed to completing the current campaign but the cross-border nature of the competition as well as global travel restrictions across the six countries involved means that any restart looks increasingly unlikely. Many unions now look set to follow New Zealand’s template of staging domestic tournaments in a bid to recoup lost revenue. Super Rugby Aotearoa kicks off next month and will feature home and away games between Auckland Blues, Wellington Hurricanes, Waikato Chiefs, Otago Highlanders and Canterbury Crusaders across 10 weeks. Should New Zealand prove that they can stage a domestic tournament safely in the midst of the coronavirus crisis then other counties will follow suit. French rugby chiefs made the decision to cancel the Top14 season in April while the English Premiership remains in limbo. The fate of this season’s Champions Cup is also in the balance. Meanwhile, Munster have confirmed that marquee signing Damian de Allende has completed his 14-day period of selfisolation since arriving in Limerick earlier this month and is on track to link up with the province. De Allende’s fellow World Cup-winning Springbok RG Snyman is due to arrive in the country later this month and it is understood that both players will be available to line out for Munster should the proposed inter-provincial series get the green light.