Agen (in blue) received Castres in a preparation match, August 14, 2020. - Nicolas Tucat / AFP

September 3 for the Pro D2, the next day for the Top 14. Brutally interrupted by the Covid-19 in March, professional rugby is about to leave. But the virus is still as threatening. It has already resulted in the postponement of several preparation matches and particularly affected certain clubs, the Stade Français in the first place. This Wednesday, the National Rugby League (LNR) has therefore validated a new medical protocol to try to face the crisis.

The LNR steering committee has today validated the new professional rugby medical protocol linked to the health situation for the start of the TOP 14 and the PRO D2. This protocol is submitted to the interministerial crisis committee for approval 📄➡️ https://t.co/W0syN49ngm pic.twitter.com/A3yJAx8igc

- National Rugby League (@LNRofficiel) August 26, 2020

With a flagship measure, taken "in agreement with the broadcaster Canal +": the programming "every day of two Top 14 matches on Friday evening at 8:45 p.m. and two matches on Sunday evening at 9 p.m.". The initial protocol provided for one meeting on Friday (8:45 p.m.), five on Saturday (one at 3:15 p.m., four at 6:15 p.m.) and one on Sunday (9 p.m.) The objective is clear: "to be able to offer Top 14 on these major time slots, even if a match is postponed ”.

The calendar puzzle

A postponement will be decided when "three players of the professional group are tested positive over a period of seven rolling days following the virological tests RT-PCR" carried out three days before the match. The situation could quickly turn into a puzzle in an already overloaded calendar, with the 2019-2020 European Cup to be completed, the 2020-2021 edition to be played and, between the two, a window of six international dates for the test-matches.

The new programming of the first two days of Top 14 will be known "under 48 hours" announces the NRL this Wednesday.

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