URC Statement On Rescheduled Fixtures

26th January 2022 By The Editor

The URC have announced that Munster's home game with Leinster has been rescheduled for May. Inpho

The United Rugby Championship have released the below statement regarding upcoming rescheduled fixtures.

The United Rugby Championship can confirm the rescheduling of five fixtures related to the Irish and Scottish derby matches postponed over the Christmas and New Year period.

The URC’s goal throughout the current rescheduling process is to fix games outside of the Six Nations window, where possible, and the current fixture list has provided a unique opportunity to move one Irish derby and one Scottish derby into the final round of the season (R18).

With Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh originally due to play Leinster and Munster in Round 18, those games will now be played on February 11 to allow the Edinburgh v Glasgow Warriors (R9) and Munster v Leinster (R8) games to take place on the final weekend of the regular season (May 20/21/22).

With regards to the Munster v Leinster fixture, the URC is working with Munster to confirm the venue and will publish the fixture details in due course.

Additionally, the Round 8 Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh fixture, which was also postponed, will take place on Friday, March 18. Due to the lack of available weekends beyond the Six Nations window it was not possible to schedule this game at another time with any certainty.

David Jordan, Tournament Director, United Rugby Championship, said: “This is an innovative solution to help keep two derby matches outside of the Six Nations window and it is a great credit to all of the teams and broadcasters involved for their willingness to work with us in this situation.

“In these circumstances we hope that the fans of these teams will look forward to the derby games in Round 18 where so much will be at stake ahead of URC Quarter-finals. Of course, given the number of URC teams involved in EPCR knock-out fixtures it has not been possible to keep all of our derby games out of the Six Nations window, but as we continue to reschedule matches we hope to have another positive update shortly.”

Munster Rugby Statement

With regards the rescheduled Munster v Leinster game and the ongoing work with URC, Munster Rugby CEO Ian Flanagan said, “As Thomond Park is hosting Ed Sheeran concerts in early May we are currently reviewing the feasibility of playing a game on the pitch two weeks later.

“In meeting all requirements and prioritising our commercial partners, 10-Year Ticket Holders, and Season Ticket Holders we will do everything possible in exhausting all avenues to play the game at Thomond Park.”