20 March 2020

Pro 14 cancel final plans as IRFU cancels domestic rugby season

One of Europe's top rugby leagues, the Pro 14, has cancelled plans to hold their final in Cardiff on June 20.

The league is made up of Irish, Scottish, Welsh, South African and Italian teams.

The league is currently suspended indefinitely due to coronavirus with no confirmed plans as to when it will get back underway.

The governing body, Celtic Rugby DAC, released a statement that outlined the measures that would have to be taken in order for the season to be completed.

It read: "Public Health Authorities cease to prohibit the resumption of sport and group training.

"Travel restrictions between our territories are lifted. No forced isolation or quarantine orders are in force when visiting our territories. 

"Player welfare is safeguarded, including requirement for a suitable pre-recommencement training period, to be established in conjunction with the high-performance personnel at our participating unions and teams."

If the top league goes ahead they will arrange the final to be hosted by the team with the highest ranking based upon league records from this season.

Irish captain Sene Naoupu's domestic season has now ended (PA Images)

Meanwhile,  the Irish Rugby Football Union has cancelled the domestic rugby season with teams not due to play again until next season.

Cups will be shared between finalists, where cup competitions have decided the final fixture. There will also be no relegation or promotion in any of the five divisions of the Energia Men's All-Ireland League.

The planned expansion of the Energia Women’s All-Ireland League 2020/21 season is still planned to go ahead.

The IRFU's director, Colin McEntee, said: "The decision to end the domestic rugby season for 2019/2020 season has not been made lightly. All options were discussed and the IRFU is satisfied it has arrived at the only equitable solution.

"These are challenging times for us all and we know clubs will be impacted by this directive, but we will look back at this season as one where we put the physical welfare of our rugby community above all else.

 "Clubs are now in a position to make plans for the 2020/21 season. We look forward to marking the 30th anniversary of the All-Ireland League."

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