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If rugby goes ahead in Ireland before September, it's likely to be behind closed doors

Leinster's Robbie Henshaw (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

If any PRO14 rugby goes head in Ireland prior to September, it is likely to be behind closed doors. Reports suggest the Irish government will ban all gatherings over 5,000 people until September. The Irish Times report that the decision was made at a cabinet meeting yesterday (Tuesday, 22nd) and will see no licenses for gathering above that size granted by local authorities.

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That would likely put pay to any designs by the PRO14 to host matches on Irish soil, or at the very least it would mean limiting the amount of people able to attend to 4,500 or less.

A limited attendance would create it’s own problems for sides, with Leinster’s season ticket contingent alone accounting for a number over double that limit.

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Similar noises coming from the Scottish authorities suggest that the PRO14 could face an up-hill battle to restart the current season there too. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned sports fans on Monday not to expect action to resume any time soon and even cast doubt on the feasibility of playing matches behind closed doors.

Last week PRO14 chief executive Martin Anayi said he was “really confident” that the organisation could complete the current season. Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill also wants to complete the season but says that – unlike in England and France – the competition face cross border road-blocks.

“It’s more complicated in the PRO14 than it is in England and France. It’s going to be hard in the very short term because you look at South Africa and Italy, there are going to be issues coming and going from there. Even in the UK it’s going to be difficult to go and visit teams in other countries.

“I’m sure the PRO14 are looking at every way to try and get some sort of conclusion to the season.

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“We all hope that in some way shape or form we can have a conclusion to the season because a lot of hard work has gone in from everyone.

“But we are guessing whether we are going to be allowed to have public gatherings or even play behind closed doors.”

There is also the issue of South Africa’s domestic competition, which is set to include PRO14 sides – the Toyota Cheetahs and the Southern Kings. That competition is mooted to start in coming months, but could challenge the participation in any return of the PRO14 for both sides.

RugbyPass, additional reporting PA

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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