PRO14 wrestles with options after EPCR confirms European shutdown

La Rochelle’s coaches Ronan O’Gara, left, and Jono Gibbes look on ahead of the French Top 14 match against Montpellier at the Marcel Deflandre Stadium last month. Picture: Xavier Leoty/AFP via Getty Images

The Guinness Pro14 was left scrambling for a response to the latest turn of events last night after confirmation from EPCR that the upcoming two rounds of Champions and Challenge Cup fixtures have fallen victim to the deteriorating Covid-19 situation across Europe.

The league’s counterparts in France and England were quick out of the blocks on the back of yesterday’s expected news, the former announcing that they would use the newly-vacated dates to run off Top 14 games postponed earlier in the season.