European competitions will not be cancelled even if French teams pull out - EPCR

European Professional Club Rugby chief executive Vincent Gaillard expressed confidence that the Heineken Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup will be completed even if French clubs pull out of the final two rounds.

The French government has recommended the rugby clubs to not participate in cross-border competitions against British sides due to concerns over the new strain of coronavirus which puts the games scheduled in the next two weekends in doubt.

Despite the uncertainty over the tournament, Gaillard is confident that they will be able to complete both the competitions even if the January fixtures does not go through.

“In short, we’re expecting a definitive directive from the French government which we have not received so far, as to whether or not the French clubs will be able to participate in rounds three and four of this season’s Champions Cup and Challenge Cup,” Gaillard told BBC radio.

“We are going to start working on different scenarios as soon as this decision comes in. What we do know today is we have four weekends currently scheduled over the months of April and May, but we have six weekends required to finished the season.

“So as soon as the decision comes in, we’ll get together with our stakeholders and notably the three leagues, the Pro14, Premiership Rugby and the LNR in France, to find the best way forward.”