Exiles clash with Bath called off

Premiership Rugby can confirm that London Irish's Gallagher Premiership Rugby match against Bath Rugby, scheduled for Boxing Day, has been called off.

Irish returned a small number of positive tests in this week's round of PCR testing, but had further players who presented with symptoms yesterday. Following discussions with Public Health England, it is clear that the match cannot go ahead.

A Premiership Rugby spokesperson said: "The health and safety of players, staff, management, officials and supporters is our only priority, so the decision has been taken to call the game off.

"We will give London Irish all the support they need and hope that those who have tested positive will make a swift and successful recovery.

"Neither Premiership Rugby nor the club will be naming any of the players or staff involved and we'd ask everyone to respect their privacy."

London Irish Director of Rugby, Declan Kidney, added: "We were really looking forward to going to The Rec on Boxing Day, so we're incredibly disappointed that we're unable to fulfil the fixture.

"I'm really disappointed for the players, as they've acted professionally, following all the relevant guidelines, but this is the situation we find ourselves in at the moment, as the country continues to try and navigate its way through the pandemic."

Under the Premiership Rugby regulations, the match between London Irish and Bath Rugby will be cancelled. A Premiership Rugby panel will now be convened to determine the allocation of points and a further announcement will be made in due course.

Click here to read the clauses about COVID-19 in the Premiership Rugby regulations.