ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Thursday Dec 2, 2021

Extension to player registrations lifts pressure on teams stuck in South Africa

The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) has announced an extension to the registration window for teams competing in the Champions Cup ahead of the opening round of fixtures next weekend.

ADVERTISEMENT

It means that teams can add “unlimited” numbers of previously unregistered players to supplement their squads before the competition begins.

This is particularly positive news for Munster, Cardiff, Scarlets and Zebre, all of whom have been facing difficulty returning home from South Africa – where they were due to play in the United Rugby Championship – following the surge in the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Ordinarily, sides wishing to add extra players to their squad need to have said players contracted for at least three months, but it is believed that this restriction will be waived on the basis that the extension applies to the first registration window.

Munster were forced to leave 14 players behind in isolation in South Africa, while Cardiff are still struggling to make it home to Wales, after their planned journey out of South Africa was cancelled due to restricted flights between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the Scarlets have been urging the EPCR to postpone its first Champions Cup clash with Bristol – due to take place on Friday 11th December – given that the bulk of their players will only exit their 10-day mandatory quarantine a day before the match.

In addition to the squad extension, EPCR has also made some changes to the COVID protocol for the Champions Cup.

  • All players, coaching staff and essential club personnel must return a negative Covid test result in match week. The test results can be utilised to facilitate cross-border travel to matches.
  • Only essential club personnel will be permitted to avail of elite sportspersons quarantine exemptions for cross-border travel. Personnel from outside the high-performance environment will not be exempt.
  • Clubs will be required to abide by the regulations imposed by local authorities with regards to travel and accommodation restrictions.
  • A Red Zone restriction for operational purposes will be in place at all match venues.
ADVERTISEMENT

Comments




Related Articles

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Ellis Genge puts on his boxing gloves ready...

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    RFU make decision on transgender players...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The dummy that sold the whole of Perth - including the cameraman

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Bayonne score 'one of the best tries you'll ever see' in latest match against Exeter

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Baloucoune shows Andy Farrell what he's missing as the winger tears through Harlequins defence

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Seriously impressive Courtney Lawes compilation released after England player calls time on international career

  • 24 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji number eight Viliame 'Bill' Mata scores audacious try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations opener

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full length of the pitch try

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    Monster hit from Perrin leaves Bristol Bears player stunned

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Posolo Tuilagi's massive tackle lights up Top 14

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Magical sevens try leaves defender stuck in the mud

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    The fan reaction to Georgia calling out Wales this Autumn

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    England player ratings: England wake Twickenham up with huge victory

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible scenes as Italy shock Scotland in Rome

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Awesome scenes as Blitzbok fan throws down at the HSBC SVNS

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Mike Philips recounts crazy night Shane Williams tried to fight Warren Gatland

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Shaun Edwards leaves room silent in new Six Nations documentary with French to English transition

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Luke Cowan-Dickie left red faced after losing very costly bet

View All

Amateur

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 64 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Danny Care to return to Twickenham for Barbarians match this summer

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Northampton Saints brothers retire a day apart

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Tributes paid as World Cup referee looks to hang up boots

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Statement: Danny Care calls time on international career

View All