Regions could be hit by a non-finish

WALES’ four regions could miss out on bumper TV revenue if the Guinness PRO14 season cannot be finalised.

The Irish Times report the five competing countries could be hit by a cumulative loss of around £13m, with tournament organisers trying to come up with a contingency plan to find some kind of climax to the 2019-20 campaign.

It comes amid claims from French Federation President Bernard Laporte that rugby could be cancelled until January.

The PRO14 has different deals with nine broadcasters, with the money split between Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Italy and South Africa and filtered down to the competing teams.

And, as with the English and French leagues, PRO14 officials are trying to find ways to get matches on again to satisfy demand from the TV companies.

The biggest difficulty is the cross-border nature of the competition.

The English Premiership and French Top 14 have discussed play-offs or behind closed doors matches, but travel restrictions are said to make that unfeasible in the PRO14.

Tournament rules do permit the organisers to declare cancelled games as 0-0 draws, awarding two points to each side.

That would leave Leinster, Ulster, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Munster and the Scarlets contesting the playoffs.

But the travel restrictions would still be an issue.

■ England’s top clubs are drawing up plans to finish their season behind closed doors this summer, with a one-off cup competition mooted.

The Premiership sides have been looking at various models of how to get the action up and running once more. The priority, is to get rugby back on television amid fears that broadcasters BT will seek a rebate that will further hit clubs.