The suspension of the 2019/20 season of the Guinness PRO14 is now on an indefinite basis due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The news was confirmed yesterday with the board of Celtic Rugby having met by teleconference and agreed on a strict list of four criteria that would have to be in place before the Championship could recommence.
These include that
- 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 the requirement for a suitable pre-recommencement training period, to be established in conjunction with the high-performance personnel at our participating unions and teams
The decision was taken regardless that the Guinness PRO14 Final will not take place as planned in Cardiff on June 20th and those who had bought tickets will get a full automatic refund.
The two middle criteria are likely to be the last to be seen as OK and it may be possible that with the likely finalists restricted to Ireland, Scotland and maybe Wales, that the need for the same in Italy and South Africa might be changed.
“Should any final be played as part of the 2019/20 season, it will be hosted by the team with highest ranking based upon league records from this campaign,” said yesterday’s statement.
That also gives the hope that if some of the countries’ recovery is quicker than others that a conclusion could be reached for this season’s tournament even if it is towards the other end of the summer.
Pro14 Rugby said that when positive indicators on the criteria listed above they will provide another update.
There will be implications at a financial level with the business having focused successfully on specific sponsor packages around the Finals Series in recent years.
Image credit: Inpho.ie
