The European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup tournaments have been temporarily suspended after French authorities ruled that the risk of French Top 14 clubs taking part was too much of a risk.

Both rugby union competitions have been suspended with two rounds of group fixtures outstanding amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“Following a directive from the French authorities that the participation of TOP 14 clubs in the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup at the current time constitutes too great a public health risk, EPCR has no choice but to announce today that the 2020/21 tournaments are temporarily suspended,” European Professional Club Rugby said in a statement.

The Champions Cup and Challenge Cup feature top teams from across Europe’s rugby union leagues, including from England, France, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy.