KICK-OFF TIMES and dates for the return of competitive rugby in the Pro14 were announced today, along with confirmation of the tournament’s shortened format.
Matches called off due to Covid-19 fears up to and including round 13 will be ruled 0-0 draws with remaining fixtures (outside of next month’s derby rounds) struck off.
Edinburgh and Leinster lead the Pro14 standings with two rounds remaining, while Ulster sit nine points clear of third-place Glasgow in Conference A and Munster carry an eight-point lead over Scarlets in Conference B.
The Pro14 announced today that European qualification for 2020/21 will be decided on the table as it currently stands after 13 rounds. However, they will hold off officially nominating qualifiers until EPCR confirms formats for the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.
The first professional match played after shutdown in Ireland will be Leinster v Munster (kick-off 19.35) on Saturday 22 August. With all four provinces playing at the Aviva under these special circumstances, Ulster take on Connacht the following day (16.30) and will have a six-day turnaround before facing Leinster on 29 August (kick-off 19.35). Munster v Connacht will conclude the series on Sunday 30 August (15.00).
Though there remains no confirmation of kick-off times or dates for the South African sides, the semi-final and final will be held on the weekends of 5 and 12 September.
Pro14 round 14 2019/20 season
Friday, August 21: Benetton Rugby v Zebre | Stadio Monigo, Treviso at 19:00
Saturday, August 22 Scarlets v Cardiff Blues | Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli at 15:00
Edinburgh v Glasgow Warriors | BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh at 17:15
Leinster v Munster | Aviva Stadium, Dublin at 19:35
Sunday, August 23 Ospreys v Dragons | Liberty Stadium, Swansea at 14:15
Connacht v Ulster | Aviva Stadium, Dublin at 16:30 (live on TG4)
Pro14 Round 15
Friday, August 28 Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh | BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh at 19:35
Saturday, August 29 Dragons v Scarlets | Rodney Parade, Newport at 17:15
Ulster v Leinster | Aviva Stadium, Dublin at 19:35
Sunday, August 30 Munster v Connacht | Aviva Stadium, Dublin at 15:00
Cardiff Blues v Ospreys | Rodney Parade, Newport at 17:00
Zebre v Benetton Rugby | Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma at 19:00 UK
Leinster to win it handily enough !
Has qualification been decided for the champions Cup next year? Have connacht qualified?
@Mr Kenobi: it’s says in the article it will be based on current positions, don’t know if that means combining both tables, if so connacht r 6th. Depends on what the format for season Cup will be too.
@Mr Kenobi: Yes, next years Champions Cup is to be contested by 24 teams (AFAIK for 1 season only). Connacht and Dragons will be in alongside the teams occupying the top 3 positions of each conference currently.
@Ian Frizzell: connacht r 4th in their conference, but have more points than Glasgow (3rd in their conference)
@Patrick Corrigan: what’s your point Patrick?
@Ian Frizzell: sorry missed read your comment thought u said connacht was in the top 3 of their conference. But point was does it go by total points or conference position?
So is it as normal – 2nd v 3rd to make the semis or just top 2 in each league?
@Chris Mc: I believe its just top 2 in each conference
@Chris Mc: Leinster v Edinburgh/Munster one semi and Edinburgh/Munster v Ulster is the other of the most likely scenarios. Sets up nicely for for knockout rugby and good chance for everyone.
@Bryan Russell: I guess everyone wants ulster
@Chris Mc: sorry that was Edinburgh not ulster.