The Board of tournament organisers EPCR can reconfirm the suspension of this season’s Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup tournaments and postponement of semi-final matches and finals.

In making the decision, the Board is abiding by the official directives and recommendations of the relevant authorities in its territories to restrict the COVID-19 pandemic.

In light of the earlier postponement of its quarter-final matches – including the Challenge Cup fixture between Leicester Tigers and Castres Olympique on April 4 – and with fixtures in Europe’s professional league competitions suspended due to the public health crisis, EPCR believes it necessary to provide as much clarity as possible to all stakeholders regarding the knockout stages of its tournaments with the semi-finals and finals originally due to be played on the weekends of May 1/2/3 and 22/23 respectively.

EPCR is working with the leagues and unions to restructure a conclusion to its season as part of a wider rescheduling of the remainder of the season in Europe, with all contingencies underpinned by the requirement to protect the health and welfare of players, club staff, match officials, supporters and the wider rugby community.

Tournament organisers EPCR remain committed to completing the 2019/20 Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup season, and it is planned to reschedule the quarter-final and semi-final matches, as well as the Marseille finals, in line with fixtures in the professional league competitions, subject to advice from government and local authorities.

Tickets already purchased for the Marseille finals will be valid for the new dates when announced, and from that point, fans who are unable to attend on the new dates will be entitled to a refund.

Any update will be communicated as soon as practicable.