Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
In a move widely seen as inevitable, World Rugby has officially postponed the upcoming July test window. All international tours that were due to take place during that month have been cancelled. Though discussions are ongoing about the potential of playing some of those matches at a later date, there is no guarantee any will yet be made up.
For the Americas this means the scheduled arrivals of the French Barbarians, Italy, and France will not go ahead. The Barbarians were headed to North America while Italy were to play Canada, the USA, and Argentina. Les Bleus have scrapped their two-test series against Los Pumas.
Of concern now is the status of the Rugby Championship and the Americas Rugby Championship. Both tournaments were due to begin in August but with international travel currently ground to a halt it appears unlikely they will go ahead as planned.
Having already released suggested return-to-play guidelines as regards the COVID-19 pandemic, World Rugby has confirmed in a statement that key stakeholders are now being consulted on the viability of international competition for the remainder of 2020. The statement in its entirety can be read below.
“The programme of internationals scheduled within the July 2020 window has been postponed due to ongoing government and health agency COVID-19 directives.
“Extended travel and quarantine restrictions that apply to numerous countries, and concerns over adequate player preparation time, mean that any sort of cross-border international rugby competition cannot be hosted in July.
“Monitoring of the potential impact on the remaining 2020 international windows continues in collaboration with international rugby stakeholders and the respective authorities.
“All parties, including member unions, international competitions, professional club competitions and International Rugby Players, will be involved in the evaluation of potential contingency options with a view to achieving an aligned calendar for the remainder of the year.
“All decision-making will be entirely contingent on national government travel, quarantine and health advice and important player welfare and hosting considerations in line with return-to-rugby guidance recently published by World Rugby.”
