A petition demanding that the Leinster Schools Cup Finals be reinstated has emerged on change.org after the IRFU announced a ban on all domestic rugby action.

The online campaign, which is nearly at its target of 1000 signatures, calls for the action to go ahead despite the ongoing global situation.

The IRFU kicked off rugby’s stance on the situation when the Six Nations clash between Ireland and Italy was suspended after an outbreak in the the Azzuri’s northern region.

And the France vs Ireland game followed suit shortly after, when an array of Six Nations clashes were put on hold.

But, despite the top level leading by example, school rugby fans are still determined to have their matches played.

The statement that accompanies the petition says: ‘There is no reason whatsoever why these games should not be held behind closed doors to determine a winner.

‘The final fixtures will be played irrespective of the nature of the contest – whether the results be official or unofficial.

The statement continues, describing the matches as a matter of ‘great pride’ before describing the finals as the biggest matches of some students’ ‘careers’.

It is then demanded that the matches go ahead, possibly still in front of crowds if the situation changes.

It reads: ‘We, therefore, demand the finals to be played. They could be played behind closed doors, or even still in front of a crowd, should the COVID-19 situation diminish as quickly as it has escalated.’

The Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals were shelved for public safety reasons having been scheduled for early April.

And the Pro14 has also been suspended indefinitely after the crisis increased in severity throughout Europe.

You can see the petition here.