Saints given fresh hope that Champions Cup tie at Chiefs will be played

George Furbank and Dan Biggar were all smiles after Saints beat Lyon to help book their place in the quarter-finals back in January

Chris Boyd’s side were due to travel to Sandy Park to take on the Chiefs in a last-eight encounter on April 4.

But the Champions Cup had to be put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic that has swept the globe.

However, in a statement issued today, EPCR says 'every effort' will be made to get this season’s Champions Cup matches played.

And it could be that the final, which had been scheduled to be played at Stade de Marseille, is staged on October 17 if everything goes to plan.

The EPCR statement read: “EPCR remains committed to making every effort to conclude the knockout stages of the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup season subject to official advice and with the health and welfare of players, club staff, match officials, supporters and the wider rugby community in mind.

“It is hoped that the 2020 finals could be staged on 16 and 17 October.”

With Covid-19 continuing to have a huge impact on professional sport, EPCR is also drawing up plans for next season’s Champions Cup.

The statement continued: “As part of its future planning, and with the extraordinary circumstances due to the Covid-19 pandemic at the forefront, EPCR can confirm that a number of tournament formats are being considered for the 2020/21 season.

“Ongoing discussions with EPCR’s league and union shareholders regarding new formats have included the possibility of a 24-club Heineken Champions Cup with eight representatives from each of Europe’s leading league competitions, played over eight weekends.

“If adopted, any new format would apply to next season’s tournament only on an exceptional basis.”