International Rugby
Domestic finals impact on summer tours
ESPN Staff
November 13, 2013

France, Wales and Ireland all face the possibility of starting their summer tours with weakened sides after the IRB rejected requests to have dates of tour matches shifted by a week. England find themselves in a similar situation for their three-Test tour of New Zealand.

The most seriously affected are France who play the first Test against Australia on June 7. With the Top 14 final scheduled for May 31, players involved in that will have to fly to Australia the next day meaning they are unlikely to be in consideration for the Test.

The RaboDirect Pro 12 final also takes place on May 31 and may impact on Wales' tour to South Africa and Ireland's to Argentina, depending who makes the final.

Ireland are set to meet Argentina in the first of two Tests on June 7; Wales, who play two Tests, have yet to announce the dates of their matches so there is a possibility they could be delayed until June 14 and 21.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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