Ulster game postponed as EPCR respect ‘current period of national mourning’

All of this weekend’s European matches in France have been postponed

Ulster Director of Rugby Les Kiss, his team’s game against Oyonnax has been postponed. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Ulster Director of Rugby Les Kiss, his team’s game against Oyonnax has been postponed. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

Due to the tragic events last night in Paris and 'the current period of national mourning in France', EPCR and the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) have decided to postpone this weekend's European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup matches scheduled to be played in France.

Therefore, Saturday's games in the Champions Cup between Oyonnax and Ulster Rugby, and Racing 92 and Glasgow Warriors, as well as this evening's Challenge Cup fixture between Pau and Castres Olympique have been postponed.

Sunday’s Champions Cup matches between Bordeaux-Bègles and ASM Clermont Auvergne, and RC Toulon and Bath Rugby have also been postponed.

The EPCR say that the matches will be rescheduled for later dates. In a statement released on Saturday they said:

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“EPCR extends its sincerest sympathies to everyone affected by the Paris attacks and as a mark of respect, all clubs competing in this weekend’s remaining Champions Cup and Challenge Cup fixtures in other territories have been asked to observe a minute’s silence before the games kick-off.”

Glasgow coach Gregor Townsend said after his side's fixture with Racing 92 was postponed: "We were really looking forward to the game, it's a beautiful city and a great place to come and visit and it was really sad to see the horrible scenes last night.

“Following on from that for our own supporters there was a real spirit of optimism on the plane yesterday and it’s great to see our supporters coming to travel overseas to support the team.

“We were very concerned about them last night when we saw the images coming in from Paris and hopefully they haven’t been caught up in it and from what we hear everything is ok, but we’re obviously thinking about them and hope they can get home safely.”