Munster ‘understand’ decision to postpone clash with Stade Francais

Munster chiefs last night backed the decision to postpone Sunday’s Champions Cup tie at Stade Francais but are fully aware of the fixture chaos that it will cause.

With the city still trying to come to terms with, and investigate the terrorist attacks in Paris last Friday which claimed 129 lives, the postponement of the Pool 4 clash at Stade Jean Bouin was announced last night at the request of local authorities in the French capital following a meeting with tournament organisers European Professional Cup Rugby and host club Stade Francais.

A statement from the reigning French champions issued on their website last night read: “In light of recent and tragic events, Stade Francais does not wish to overburden or complicate the work of the government and security forces by organising a sporting event with 15,000 people in the Stade Jean Bouin stadium.

“The club has therefore decided to postpone the meeting of Stade Francais v Munster, initially scheduled to take place this Sunday, November 22, 2015. In consultation with the authorities, the EPCR and NRL, a postponement date will be announced shortly.”

Echoing that statement, Munster Rugby chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald added: “We fully understand the decision to postpone this weekend’s game and would not wish to hinder the work of government and security forces in what has been, and continues to be a very trying time for all in Paris and France.

“Now our attention must switch to working with Stade Francais and EPCR in rescheduling the game for a time that is amenable to both sides.”

With four Champions Cup games involving French clubs postponed during last weekend’s Round 1 of pool play, EPCR have a major headache in trying to schedule suitable dates with no free weekends between now and Round 6 of the pool phase on the weekend of January 22/23/24.

Speaking ahead of Munster’s postponement, head coach Anthony Foley had been asked about finding a solution to the problem of the outstanding fixtures before then.

“Go figure,” had been Foley’s initial response, before adding: “You’d imagine all that will be sorted before the last round of games.

“We’d all know the permutations and whatever from the last round of games. Teams relying on other teams to perform so there isn’t run away victories and that.

“You are right, they need to be played before round six. But my point is best guess when that is, we already have a crowded fixture list. I’m sure the people in power are working hard to try and sort it out.”