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https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/202...ed-six-nations/The France government will impose an immediate ban on cross-border elite sport today, with EPRC braced for 'bad news'
The final two rounds of the Champions Cup pools stages are to be postponed with EPRC expecting confirmation on Saturday from the French government that it is set to impose an immediate ban on cross-border elite sport – a decision that will also plunge the Six Nations Championship into doubt, Telegraph Sport can reveal.
Sources in France have confirmed that EPCR are bracing themselves for ‘bad news’. Formal confirmation and the exact details have not yet been communicated, but plans are already underway to suspend the final two rounds, which were set to begin next Friday.
The imposition of a travel ban could also have serious implications for the Six Nations, which is set to start on Feb 6, as if it is still in place by then it would prevent France from taking part and heap further pressure on the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa later this year.
With the sport already facing severe financial blows from the impact of no crowds during the pandemic, further disruption to the Six Nations would represent a major setback.
As a senior Six Nations source told Telegraph Sport on Friday: “We are following every governmental decision closely and will address accordingly. Border control and restrictions are a key area of attention."
Emergency talks are now expected to explore how the remainder of the season can be completed in the face of the rising infection rates.
The Champions Cup and Challenge Cup are not yet expected to be cancelled, with further discussions to take place around how it can be completed.
EPRC officials made presentations to the French government and moved to reassure the Top 14 clubs by tightening up safety and testing protocols this week ahead of the competition resumption on Jan 15.
Six matches had to be called off in the last round of Champions Cup and Challenge Cup fixtures due to issues related to the pandemic, including the decision by Toulon to pull out of their match with the Scarlets on safety grounds.
The Lions board are due to meet at the end of this month to consider whether or not the tour of South Africa is able to proceed as scheduled in July and August, with options on the table including a postponement until next year or playing the tour behind closed doors.
ევროთასები 2020-2021, მეორე დონის ქვეყნების გარეშე
