In all, seven European Cup matches are affected, the EPCR announced on Tuesday.
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It is a most surprising decision. While seven Champions Cup and Challenge Cup matches have been postponed due to the tightening of travel restrictions between France and the United Kingdom, the EPCR, the organizing body of the competitions, delivered its verdict on Tuesday January 11: these meetings of the 2nd day will not be replayed. And they will be considered null (on a score of 0-0), each team thus recovering two points in the standings.
“Following several meetings of the EPCR Steering Committee, it was unfortunately decided to cancel the postponed meetings of Day 2. (…) The Steering Committee also authorized the EPCR executive to determine the outcome of matches, as provided for in tournament regulations. The EPCR executive team decided that the appropriate solution was to score a draw of 0-0, with two ranking points awarded to each club. “, details the instance in a press release.
La Rochelle, Clermont, UBB, Toulouse and Stade Français are concerned in the Champions Cup, as are Brive and Biarritz in the Challenge Cup. The desire to reschedule the matches came up against the already busy schedule for the teams competing in a European Cup. “The options of changing tournament formats and / or rescheduling matches were discussed. (…) However, given the increasingly complicated schedule due to Covid-19, it was unfortunately decided that the only choice in these circumstances was to cancel these matches “, regrets the EPCR.
These matches could not take place due to the quarantine deadlines and travel constraints to be respected between France and the United Kingdom. In contrast, for the three meetings canceled due to a case of Covid-19 in one of the formations, Racing (against the Ospreys), Montpellier (against Leinster) and Bristol (against the Scarlets) keep their victory 28-0. Two other days are scheduled for January, starting with the weekend of 15th and 16th. For the time being, the EPCR has announced that they will take place normally.
The matches concerned:
In the Champions Cup:
Bath Rugby-Stade Rochelais: 0-0
Sale Sharks-ASM Clermont Auvergne: 0-0
Scarlets-Union Bordeaux-Bègles: 0-0
Stade Toulousain-Wasps: 0-0
Stade Francais Paris-Bristol Bears: 0-0
In Challenge Cup:
Worcester Warriors-Biarritz Olympique: 0-0
London Irish-CA Brive: 0-0