THERE are fears that some of this weekend's European fixtures in both the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup could be cancelled after the French government announced a ban on non-essential UK travel from Saturday.

There was due to be a meeting on Thursday night between the French clubs and the European Professional Club Rugby board (EPCR) regarding games in the UK.

And on Friday morning the EPCR held a meeting to discuss what would happen this weeeknd. 

Lyon have supposedly made their trip to Newport for their game on Friday evening but now it seems French sides have put their foot down and stayed they would not travel to the UK. 

Worcester Warriors are scheduled to host Biarritz Olympique on Saturday afternoon at Sixways in Round Two of the Challenge Cup.

A statement released by the EPCR said: "EPCR is in contact with the French authorities in order to understand the new travel measured and to assess if any matches in Round 2 are affected."

Games that could be affected:

Champions Cup -

  • Friday - Montpellier vs Leinster
  • Saturday: Bath vs Stade Rochelais, Sale Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne, Munster vs Castres Olympique
  • Sunday: Scarlets vs Union Bordeaux-Begles, Stade Toulousain vs Wasps, Stade Francais vs Bristol Bears

Challenge Cup -

  • Friday: Dragons vs Lyon
  • Saturday: Worcester warriors vs Biarritz Olympique, London Irish vs CA Brive