European rugby organisers hope to stage this season's Champions and Challenge Cup finals on 16 and 17 October - if public health regulations allow.

Rugby at all levels in Europe has been suspended since March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) says it is "making every effort to conclude the knockout stages of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup".

EPCR is also considering changes to next season's Champions Cup.

That includes the possibility of increasing the number of teams in Europe's premier European competition from 20 to 24, with eight teams each from the Pro14, English Premiership and French Top 14.

Matches could be played over eight weekends instead of the current nine.

An EPCR statement said that any new format "would apply to next season's tournament only on an exceptional basis".

Following government guidance in England, rugby's governing bodies are continuing to plan for the sport's safe return.

A return to rugby is listed under stage five of the Irish government's roadmap out of lockdown and could happen from 10 August.

No such detail has yet been officially published in Scotland or Wales.

Details of a return for both elite and grassroots sport in Wales are expected to be included in a coronavirus exit plan, which First Minister Mark Drakeford hopes will be published on Friday.

France, meanwhile, has banned all sporting events, including those behind closed doors, until the beginning of September, with the 2019-20 Top 14 domestic season already scrapped.

Marseille's Stade Velodrome is due to host both Champions and Challenge Cup finals this season.

They had been originally scheduled to take place on Saturday, 23 May and Friday, 22 May respectively, but were suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.