The aptly named EPCR doesn’t mess with positive tests. The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), organizer of the European Cups, announced on Friday the cancellation of the Toulouse-Cardiff match, scheduled for Saturday. “The risk of additional contamination having been deemed too great, it was unfortunately decided to cancel the match. Consequently, the Cardiff Rugby club was awarded the Pool A match 28-0 with five ranking points, in accordance with the tournament rules,” EPCR said.
Discussions have however taken place between the EPCR, the Toulouse stadium and the National Rugby League (LNR). The Rouge et Noir seemed able to present a team despite the cases of Covid, including that of Antoine Dupont. The composition of the Toulouse team was even announced at first. But that was “before the Match Risk Assessment Commission, made up of doctors from the EPCR Medical Advisory Group and independent medical specialists, raised their concerns with the EPCR,” the organizers said. The EPCR therefore preferred to cancel the match, “a tournament management measure”, and “not a sanction”, we are assured.
Anger of Toulouse and the League
A cancellation which angered Didier Lacroix, president of Stade Toulouse, who cries out for “injustice”. The Toulousains, with 7 points, find themselves in difficulty in this European Cup, of which the 4th and last day of the group stage is played this weekend. The reigning French and European champions will have to wait for the results of the other matches to find out if they are qualified for the round of 16 in April.
For its part, the LNR “firmly contests” this decision, because it had estimated that Toulouse might play this match. The EPCR therefore acts “in violation of its own regulations”, tackles the LNR, which speaks of an “incomprehensible” decision. The president of the LNR, and former president of Toulouse, René Bouscatel does not want to stop there: “This decision is irresponsible. I have decided to convene a steering committee of the NRL urgently to discuss the follow-up, including legal action, to be given to this decision. »