Rugby, Australian Football: Zurich Premiership season to end early

The Zurich Premiership campaign will be shortened by two weeks next season to accommodate the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour.

The Lions leave for New Zealand on May 24 next year, which was intended as the date for the Premiership final and the Wildcard final.

However, after talks with the Lions, Premier Rugby have agreed to bring the final day of the season forward to May 14.

Lions chief executive John Feehan said: "We acknowledge that the schedule of our tour dates has had an important bearing on club rugby and has caused Premier Rugby a number of problems."

The clash threatened to create a stalemate between the two bodies but the situation has been resolved by the clubs' willingness to compromise.

As a result the Lions have agreed to consult with Premier Rugby over future tours.


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