Northampton awarded bonus-point win for Timisoara Saracens cancellation

Northampton Saints have been awarded a 28-0 bonus-point win and Timisoara Saracens were hit with a €30,000 following the late cancellation of the European Challenge Cup clash last weekend.

Heavy snow in Timisoara prevented the Pool 1 clash from going ahead at the Dan Paltinisanu Stadium last Saturday.

An independent disciplinary committee on Friday punished the Romanian club for not having covers in place or using undersoil heating in good time.

The Committee also sanctioned Timisoara for not lining up a suitable alternative venue.

Premiership side Northampton are now five points behind leaders Clermont Auvergne in second place after gaining five points.

Timisoara and European Professional Club Rugby have the right to appeal against the verdict.

Meanwhile, Sale Sharks lock Andrei Ostrikov has failed with an appeal against his four-match ban for striking Bordeaux-Begles centre Jean-Baptiste Dubie.