Premiership Rugby games on Saturday moved to avoid clash with Prince Philip’s funeral

Premiership Rugby games on Saturday moved to avoid clash with Prince Philip’s funeral as cricket’s County Championship plans to pause for an hour and 20 minutes as mark of respect

  • Saturday’s four Premiership Rugby fixtures have been moved from 3pm slot
  • Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral in Windsor is set to commence at that time
  • Two fixtures have been brought forward to 12.30pm and two moved later
  • County Championship cricket games will pause for one hour and 20 minutes
  • All EFL football fixtures scheduled for 3pm will also be moved to a different time 

Premiership Rugby has announced that the kick-offs at all four round-16 matches on Saturday have been moved to avoid a clash with the 3pm funeral of Prince Philip.

Sale v Gloucester and Exeter’s match against Wasps will both start at 12.30pm, while Newcastle against Bristol will kick off at 5pm along with Worcester’s visit to Harlequins.

The ECB has said all nine County Championship matches will pause for an hour and 20 minutes and has asked all recreational cricket clubs to stop play for an hour to pay their respects, alongside observing the one-minute silence.

Saturday’s 3pm Premiership Rugby fixtures will be rescheduled to avoid a clash with the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral

The Duke of Edinburgh passed away on Friday at the age of 99, with his funeral on Saturday

The Duke of Edinburgh passed away on Friday at the age of 99, with his funeral on Saturday

Cricket's County Championship is also set to pause between 2:50pm and 4:10pm

Cricket’s County Championship is also set to pause between 2:50pm and 4:10pm

Many of this weekend’s football fixtures have also been moved.

In the EFL, clubs whose matches were set to kick off at 3pm — the same time that the service for the Duke of Edinburgh is due to start — were given three options.

They were told that they could switch their matches to Friday, or to 12.30pm or 5.30pm starts on Saturday, and should come to an agreement with their opponents.

The Premier League moved the Wolves v Sheffield United match from 3pm to 8.15pm, while West Ham’s visit to Newcastle remains at 12.30pm and the FA Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Manchester City stays at 5.30pm.

Wolves ' Premier League fixture against Sheffield United has been rescheduled as a mark of respect for Prince Philip's funeral

Wolves ‘ Premier League fixture against Sheffield United has been rescheduled as a mark of respect for Prince Philip’s funeral

The time for the Molineux fixture was set to ensure it does not clash with the Wembley encounter, with league officials saying they had acted ‘as a mark of respect’.

Sportsmail understands that a minute’s silence will be held before EFL matches on the next two weekends — and players will wear black armbands.

Meanwhile, the World Snooker Tour is liaising with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport with regard to the World Championship, which is scheduled to start on Saturday in Sheffield.

WHICH SPORTING FIXTURES HAVE BEEN MOVED SO FAR? 

Football

Wolves v Sheffield United in the Premier League was originally a 3pm start, but now has been rescheduled for 8:15pm

The 32 fixtures set for 3pm in the Championship, League One and League Two will take place at either 12:30pm or 5:30pm

The National League has also confirmed its 3pm kick-offs will instead start at 12:30pm

Cricket

County Championship set to pause between 2:50pm and 4:10pm, with the 3pm national silence observed across all grounds

The England and Wales Cricket Board has asked all recreational cricket clubs to follow suit 

Racing

The British Horseracing Authority have agreed to no meetings will take place during the funeral, moving the Spring Trials at Newbury to Sunday

The Scottish Grand National at Ayr has been moved to the same day

Rugby

Sale’s v Gloucester and Exeter v Wasps will kick off at 12:30pm, while Newcastle v Bristol will kick off at 5pm, as will Harlequins v Worcester

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