THREAT TO ALL RUGBY IN EUROPE
New French ban could end cup competitions and Six Nations
SIMON HALLIDAY has warned that rugby union will need to rethink its season if the two European cups are suspended.
France has extended the closure of its borders to the UK in an effort to minimise the mutant strain of Covid-19.
The Macron government will today announce whether or not its clubs can compete in the remaining pool rounds on the next two weekends.
Halliday, chairman of European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), said the decision would likely have a profound effect on the whole rugby calendar.
Halliday admitted: “If we do get shut down, if the French ministry hands down a decision that goes against the next two rounds, then it’s got broader implications for the game this season.
“We’re going to need to have a reset and take a look at it from the bigger picture perspective.”
Halliday’s concern is that a suspension of cross-border club competition could impact the Six Nations, due to kick off on February 6.
That would plunge the cash
strapped sport deeper into crisis and spark a debate as to whether the Lions tour should give up its summer slot to the Six Nations in the hope that crowds by then would be able to attend.
Montpellier owner Mohed Altrad has already called for the
plug to be pulled on the Champions Cup, while Bayonne are refusing to fulfil their fixtures in the Challenge Cup. The French government met with both its clubs and EPCR on Thursday.
Tournament organisers have updated their protocols in a bid to ease French fears after Top 14 clubs voiced concern over testing processes in the UK.
“Updates to the protocols include the addition of matchday minus three testing, conforming to the new directives of the French government,” said an EPCR spokesperson.
“These changes supplement the existing, meticulous contact tracing with all measures put in place with a view to limiting the risk of transmission and allowing the tournaments to continue in the context of the strong evolution of a new variant of coronavirus.
“EPCR expects to receive a decision from the authorities in the next 48 hours.”
In the meantime, the RFU has provided its Premiership clubs with a post-match video summary highlighting where ‘ match behaviours’ need to be improved to allow the league to keep going.
This is on top of a spot-check process at training and match venues each week.