THE ROUND 2 champions cup tie between Munster and Stade Francais, scheduled for this Sunday, has been postpomed.
Following discussions between the Champions Cup organisers, Stade Francais and local authorities in Paris this week, it was been decided to not go ahead with the eagerly anticpated clash at the Stade Jean Bouin.
A statement released on the Stade Francais website this week read,
“In light of recent and tragic events, Stade Francais does not wish to overburden or complicate the work of the government and security forces by organizing a sporting event with 15,000 people in the Stade Jean Bouin stadium.
The club has therefore decided to postpone the meeting of Stade Francais v Munster, initially scheduled to take place this Sunday, November 22, 2015.
In consultation with the authorities, the EPCR and NRL, a postponement date will be announced shortly”
Commenting on the announcement, Munster Rugby CEO Garrett Fitzgerald added,
“We fully understand the decision to postpone this weekend’s game and would not wish to hinder the work of government and security forces in what has been, and continues to be a very trying time for all in Paris and France.
“Now our attention must switch to working with Stade Francais and EPCR in rescheduling the game for a time that is amenable to both sides.”
Munster are in the middle of a sixteeen week run of fixtures which sees them playing every weekend until the second weekend in February. That weekend is also a free weekend (at the moment) for Stade Francais, to it is now up the powers that be to decide on what is best for Munster, Stade Francais, the Champions Cup and of course, the people of Paris.
Munster’s next competitive action will now take place on Saturday November 28 against Connacht at Thomond Park. Kick off for the game is at 5.15pm and it will be televised live on Sky Sports.
Statement from EPCR
In the wake of the recent tragic events in the French capital, the decision has been taken to postpone the European Rugby Champions Cup, Round 2 match between Stade Francais Paris and Munster Rugby which was scheduled to be played at Stade Jean Bouin on Sunday.
EPCR is continuing to work with the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR), Premiership Rugby and the PRO12, as well as the relevant clubs, to consider all possible fixture permutations with the aim of coming up with a workable solution as to how the Stade Francais Paris v Munster Rugby match, in addition to the five games from Round 1 of the tournaments, can be rescheduled in an already crowded rugby calendar.
EPCR, the three leagues and the clubs are in agreement that all postponed fixtures – including the RC Toulon v Bath Rugby Round 1 match – will be played, and an announcement regarding the new dates will be made as soon as possible.
