BBC Sport state that the international window for Northern hemisphere sides will be between October 24th and December 5th. Meaning the Six Nations games will likely take place between these dates. In the southern hemisphere the window is from the 7th of November to the 12th of December. However, the Rugby Championship will have to be played in one single country. Dates will be confirmed and approved by World Rugby next week.

World Rugby issued a statement regarding the Six Nations window. They said, “They will accommodate the postponed men’s and women’s Six Nations matches at the end of October, a rest weekend on 7 November and a programme of international matches involving the Six Nations and invited teams hosted in Europe from 14 November through to 5 December”.

If the dates are approved then each international rugby union will have to announce their international matches with their international competition owners. However, Wales will not be allowed play their games at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff as this is currently been used as a Covid 19 hospital. Chief Executive of Wales Rugby Martyn Philips said, “We will not be playing any home games at Principality Stadium”. He continued, “On a more optimistic footing, we plan to be back playing at the Principality Stadium – hopefully in front of full crowds – against England and Ireland in the Six Nations in February 2021.”

There are still four men’s games to be played in the 2020 men’s Six Nations championship. England and France head the table with both on 13 points, with Scotland on 10 points. Ireland are in fourth on 9 points but have played a game less than their three counterparts. The England women’s side are ahesd in the women’s equivalent on 19 points, with France and Ireland in 2nd and 3rd respectively but a game behind.

The post Six Nations organisers propose October completion appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

A meeting is scheduled tonight (Thursday) of the GAA management committee and this will see them rubber stamp plans in terms of new fixture plans. Further to this a press conference will be held by the GAA on Friday which will clarify these plans and details. RTE Sport report that the GAA have made some changes around the All-Ireland U20 Hurling series.

RTE state that the two last rounds of the National Football League will be played in mid October. They also report that the 2020 senior football championship will be played on a straight knockout basis. This would mean know back door for a team if they lose. The main reason why the back door qualifiers would likely not be used is because the championship would likely have to be played. The hurling championship will see a different scenario altogether. Teams will have a second bite at the cherry and will go into a qualifier round. RTE Sport say that “The system is set to mirror the format used up to 2018”.

The hurling championship will get underway at the end of October. Kilkenny and Wexford who both will be in the Leinster championship will both receive a bye to the Leinster semi-final stages having both reached the provincial decider in 2019 in which Wexford won for the first time since 2004.

In terms of the under age championships. The minor championship will be played on a knockout basis in both codes. The U20 Hurling championship will also be with no back door. It is expected this will also resume in mid October.

The post GAA to announce new format for senior championships appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

RTE Sport say that European rugby hierarchy are intent on completing both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup tournaments despite the current situation with Covid 19. Although the Champions Cup quarter-final have yet to be player the EPCR have said finals will take place on the weekend of October 16th.

The EPCR said in a statement, “As part of its future planning, and with the extraordinary circumstances due to the Covid-19 pandemic at the forefront, EPCR can confirm that a number of tournament formats are being considered for the 2020/21 season.” They went on further to say a 24 team format has been discussed, stating “Ongoing discussions with EPCR’s league and union shareholders regarding new formats have included the possibility of a 24-club Heineken Champions Cup with eight representatives from each of Europe’s leading league competitions, played over eight weekends”. This would however be on an exceptional basis.

The statement went on to say that EPCR remains “intent” on making an effort to conclude the knockout stages of this season tournament. “In the meantime, EPCR remains committed to making every effort to conclude the knockout stages of the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup season subject to official advice and with the health and welfare of players, club staff, match officials, supporters and the wider rugby community in mind”.

Rugby on current guidelines in Ireland is not likely to resume until July. Whether this will happen or not I am not so sure.

The post Champions Cup Final set for October appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.