New Covid quarantine rules put Women's Six Nations, Rainbow Cup, and Champions Cup in doubt

Ireland's Hannah Tyrrell celebrates scoring a try in the last minute during the Women's Guinness Six Nations match at Cardiff Arms Park against Wales. Picture: Nick Potts/PA

Plans for rugby’s season-ending cross-border competitions have been thrown into jeopardy following another round of Covid-19 travel restrictions that have placed the viability of the Women’s Six Nations, PRO14 Rainbow Cup, and Champions Cup in doubt.

Ireland’s decision to add France, among other countries, to its list of nations requiring mandatory quarantine periods on entry has put next Saturday’s Women’s Test between the Six Nations rivals into question while reports in South Africa’s media suggest hopes of their four “Super” provinces travelling north for the final rounds of the Rainbow Cup have been dashed.