Covid testing row sees French clubs threatening to withdraw from Champions Cup

Some French clubs, led by Bayonne, have voiced concerns that testing of players closer to matchdays is necessary

With rounds three and four of both the Champions and Challenge Cups scheduled for the weekends of January 15-17 and 22-24, the clock is ticking to find a solution

European rugby bosses are seeking a resolution to the row over Covid-19 testing protocols which has led to claims that French clubs are threatening to boycott the remainder of this season’s Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.

European Professional Club Rugby, the competitions’ organisers insisted on Monday that no participating club had officially informed it of any intention not to fulfil their remaining 2020-21 fixtures, while Racing 92 owner Jacky Lorenzetti has publicly dismissed suggestions of a French Top14 boycott.