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Bath forced to cancel clash with Exeter
By PA
Bath’s Premiership Rugby Cup clash with Exeter on December 29 has been cancelled due to a combination of coronavirus issues and injuries leaving Bath without enough front row forwards to fulfil the fixture.
A statement from the Somerset club said Premiership Rugby would determine the points allocation for the cancelled game over the coming days, while their league clash with London Irish on January 3 is unaffected.
“It is with regret we share that our Round 3 Premiership Rugby Cup fixture against Exeter Chiefs scheduled for Wednesday 29 December at the Rec cannot go ahead safely,” read a statement on bathrugby.com.
“We have worked hard to find a solution, including sourcing additional players; however, a combination of Covid-related player absences and existing injuries means an insufficient number of front row forwards are available to fulfil a matchday 23.
“Furthermore, there is not enough time to add any further players to our squad who we can be confident are Covid free, and with a Gallagher Premiership fixture scheduled within the next seven days, the safety of our wider squad and staff must be paramount.
“Therefore, our fixture has been cancelled. Premiership Rugby will determine the points allocation for this fixture over the coming days in line with the Premiership Rugby Cup regulations.
“Our Gallagher Premiership game against London Irish on Monday 3 January remains unaffected.”
A Premiership Rugby spokesperson said: “Our priority is the health and safety of everyone involved with Bath Rugby and Exeter Chiefs and we will give the clubs any support they need. We wish everyone affected a full and speedy 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.”
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Latest Comments
The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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