Bayonne won't play in the Challenge Cup other TOP14 consider boycott

January 04, 2021
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Ultimate Rugby

The Champions and Challenge Cup is under threat with the French clubs considering a boycott.

Bayonne have confirmed that as it stands, the club will not play the two Challenge Cup matches scheduled for Friday, January 15 and 22 against Leicester and Zebre Rugby. This comes after a some of its players tested positive for the 'UK strain' of Covid-19 after last month's visit to Leicester Tigers.

Meanwhile, a report from RMC Sports says that Top 14 clubs are calling on EPCR to bring testing in line with the French system, so tests three days before games with RC Toulon considering withdrawing from the Champions Cup altogether.

The Top 14 clubs and the NRL are currently mobilizing to change the health protocol applied in the European Cup, due to the British variant of Covid-19, the report reads.

According to the report, the clubs are monitoring the situation and have not ruled out a possible boycott of both competitions. RMC Sport suggest that Toulon are seriously considering following in the footsteps of Bayonne with the National Rugby League pressing EPCR to review its health protocols.

The report states that the EPCR requires the teams to test players six days ahead of matchdays while the TOP14 test three days ahead of the games.

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