The new Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup competition has been thrown into disarray before its scheduled start this weekend.
The four teams from South Africa – The Bulls, Stormers, Lions, and Sharks – are set to pull with local reports claiming they won’t be able to come to Europe due to travel restrictions.
The quartet was due to start in the competition with three rounds of domestic clashes before travelling to Europe for games.
It appears the three rounds of inter-provincial fixtures in Ireland, as well as similar games in Wales, Scotland, and Italy, will continue before a Rainbow Cup final on 19 June.
RG Snyman
Meanwhile Munster – who faces Leinster in the competition on Saturday – could have second-row RG Snyman back in the squad soon.
The Springbok ruptured a cruciate ligament on his Munster debut last August.
The province revealed today he could return to training next week.
Johnny Sexton
Leinster says there’s no timeframe for Johnny Sexton’s return from his latest concussion.
The Ireland captain has been stood down for the PRO14 champions’ clash with their rivals Munster this weekend.
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen insists they’ll do right by the player and not rush his recovery.
The Blues will face Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle in the semi-finals of the Champions Cup at the start of next month.
Tadhg Furlong
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen says he has no update on Tadhg Furlong’s contract talks with the I-R-F-U.
The Lions tight-head has yet to agree on a new central contract and is in the final months of his current deal.
Cullen says he’s hopeful of a breakthrough in the talks and added that the Wexford man is too important to be allowed to leave.
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