Government restrictions around cross-border travel hold key to European rugby return

The IRFU have confirmed that this Saturday’s Bateman Cup semi-finals and the following weekend’s resumption of both the men’s and women’s All-Ireland Leagues remain on schedule

At professional level it is government restrictions around cross-border travel that continue to threaten the viability of this season’s European campaigns in both the Champions and Challenge Cups. Picture: INPHO/Bryan Keane

Heineken Champions Cup organisers are seeking assurances from authorities in France that matches in Rounds 3 and 4 involving Top 14 clubs can go ahead the weekend after next as the rapid spread of the Covid-19 Omicron variant continues.

The IRFU confirmed to the Irish Examiner yesterday that this Saturday’s Energia Bateman Cup semi-finals and the following weekend’s resumption of both the men’s and women’s Energia All-Ireland League schedules remain on schedule and that no red flags have been raised as yet as clubs brace themselves to lose players either as positive cases or close contacts.