Coronavirus: Guinness PRO14 suspends season

The current Guinness PRO14 season has been suspended in response to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, it has been announced.

The PRO14, which involves Glasgow and Edinburgh, has been suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak. Picture: SRU/SNS

The five-nation league, which includes teams from Scotland (Glasgow and Edinburgh), Wales, Ireland, Italy and South Africa, has been shutdown as the extend of the coronavirus crisis escalated today.

A statement from the tournament organisers said: "The PRO14 is an international league. Cross border travel is inevitable and that brings with it unique challenges. With governments in Italy and Ireland already putting in place clear directives and restrictions around public activities and travel, the decision to suspend the competition is appropriate. It is in the best interests of everyone that games are not played at this time. The suspension has been directed by the board of Celtic Rugby DAC and will be remain under constant review."

David Jordan, former Glasgow Warriors CEO and now Tournament Director of PRO14 Rugby,added: “We have made this decision with everyone’s welfare foremost in our minds. With an evolving situation in the five countries that take part in Guinness PRO14 it is important to make a clear decision that is in keeping with the advice of the various governments involved.”

"Resumption of the 2019/20 season will now become a matter of constant review. To this point PRO14 Rugby has ensured that it has the latest information and guidance made available by the local and national authorities via our participating unions in the UK, Ireland, Italy and South Africa.

"This will remain the case for the duration of the suspension. This is an unprecedented action for the tournament and as such no end date to the suspension can be provided at this time.

"In keeping with our practice during the outbreak, PRO14 Rugby will provide updates on the suspension when more information is available."

Edinburgh currently sit top of Conference B, while Glasgow are third in Conference A, leaving both Scottish sides on course for play-off spots in a season which now seems under threat of being completed.

Earlier this week European club authorities said they fully intended to proceed with the quarter-final matches of the Heineken Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup, with Edinburgh due to face Bordeaux-Begles in France on Saturday 4 April.

An EPCR statement said: "EPCR notes the suspension of the Guinness PRO14 season and continues to liaise with the relevant league and union bodies regarding next month’s Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup quarter-final matches while closely monitoring developments in relation to COVID-19.

"An update regarding the matches will be communicated as soon as practicable, and in the meantime, EPCR remains fully supportive of the preventative measures which have been introduced to date in the interest of overall public health and will respect further directives by governments and local authorities."