European rugby chiefs are still hoping to hold their finals weekend in Marseille – despite suspending both tournaments indefinitely.
Having already postponed the quarter-finals that were scheduled for the weekend after next – including ties involving Leinster and Ulster – the decision to put the competitions on hold was taken on Monday.
Doubts have been expressed over the EPCR’s ability to get their tournaments completed because the priority is to finish off the PRO14, Top 14 and Premiership seasons in a shortened format.
But it is all but certain now that the summer Test tours – including Ireland’s trip to Australia - will be cancelled, freeing up time in the coming months to play off the league.
The IRFU has set a tentative date of a return to training for May 18 for the provinces and for Ireland’s frontliners.
And EPCR has been encouraged by World Rugby’s intervention to aid the Unions in working out a solution.
Having already played 60 matches in both tournaments, they are determined to run off the final 14 fixtures – and still use Marseille for a finals weekend late in the summer if possible.
A total of 75,000 tickets have already been sold for the two finals, and a decent percentage of that number have been bought by fans in the south of France.
“We’re not considering any other city,” said one EPCR source.
“We’re not pulling the plug on the venue at all.”
Tickets already purchased for the finals will be valid for the new dates when announced – but fans who are unable to attend will be entitled to a refund.
“In making the decision, the board is abiding by the official directives and recommendations of the relevant authorities in its territories to restrict the COVID-19 pandemic,” explained an ERC statement.
“In light of the earlier postponement of its quarter-final matches and with fixtures in Europe’s professional league competitions currently suspended due to the public health crisis, EPCR believes it necessary to provide as much clarity as possible to all stakeholders regarding the knockout stages of its tournaments.
“To that end, EPCR is working with the leagues and unions to restructure a conclusion to its season as part of a wider rescheduling of the remainder of the season in Europe.
“An update regarding the knockout stages of the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup will be communicated as soon as practicable.”
