EPCR relax player registration rules following Covid crisis
The European competitions is set to kick-off from 10th December
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The organisers of the European competitions European Professional Club Rugby have relaxed the player registration rules ahead of the opening round due to the ongoing Covid crisis.
Members of Scarlets, Cardiff and Munster are currently stranded in Cape Town where they have been isolated after testing positive for Covid-19 after the United Rugby Championship fixtures were called off while the rest of the squad members, who have flown back from the country are on a 10-day quarantine period leading to the opening round of the European competitions leaving them with less or no training.
Currently, there is no provision from EPCR to reschedule games with clubs being forced to forfeit the games with a 28-0 defeat with Munster, who have only 14 fit players presently urging the organisers to reconsider the decision.
Responding to the situation, EPCR ruled out the possibility of postponing games but the clubs are now provided with an option to bring extra players in on loan with the registration date extended to 8th December.
"Following consultation with the leagues and unions, it has been decided to extend the first registration date from last month to allow all participating clubs to supplement their squads with an unlimited number of previously unregistered players," read the statement.
"All new players will have to be registered on or before Wednesday, 8 December at midday (UK and Irish time).
"With no alternative weekends available in the 2021/22 season calendar, EPCR is in regular dialogue with the leagues and clubs to ensure that all possible measures are considered so that the matches take place as scheduled.
"While looking forward to another series of compelling pool stage fixtures, EPCR is mindful of how recent events have impacted on Cardiff Rugby, Munster Rugby, Scarlets and Zebre Parma in particular, and the tournament organiser would like to extend its best wishes to the players and staff who currently remain in South Africa, as well as to the players and staff who have been repatriated and are currently isolating."
