Premiership Rugby confirm two-week mid-season break after European competitions suspended

Premiership Rugby has confirmed that the tournament will have a two-week mid-season break following the concerns over the new strain of Covid-19.

The decision follows after European Professional Club Rugby announced that the next two rounds of the Champions and Challenge Cups competitions will be suspended temporarily after the French government advised the clubs to cease cross-border competitions.

Even though few clubs including Bristol, Exeter and Wasps urged the board to fill the void with Premiership fixtures, chief executive Darren Childs said they decided against rescheduling of games considering the player welfare.

"The welfare of everyone involved in Premiership Rugby is crucial to us and this break in the season gives us the chance to hand some much-needed rest to our hard-working players, management, staff and match officials.

"The Gallagher Premiership Rugby season will return - as scheduled - on Friday 29 January when Bristol Bears host Bath Rugby live on BT Sport."

With the competitions suspended for next two weeks, England coach Eddie Jones will not be able to cast his eye on the Premiership players when he names the squad for the Six Nations later this month provided the competition goes as per the schedule.

A Six Nations spokesperson confirmed that the board is working closely with the French government to convince them the competition can be conducted safely with proper precautions after the sports ministry advised the clubs to cease cross-border competitions.

“We are working hard to hold the tournament as scheduled in each country with Covid protocols further reinforced from the October-November period that saw the successful conclusion of the Six Nations and the Autumn Nations Cup," said a Six Nations spokesperson.