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Saracens forced to concede Saturday's European game in France
By Liam Heagney
Saracens have forfeited next weekend's Challenge Cup round two match at Pau following an outbreak of Covid-19 which resulted in them closing their training ground until Christmas Eve. Surprisingly beaten 21-18 last Saturday at home by Edinburgh, the Londoners were looking to go to France to get their European campaign back on track but they have now given their Top 14 opponents a 28-0 win.
A statement read: "Saracens can confirm that the club has experienced an outbreak of Covid-19 within the training ground environment leading to several positive Covid cases from the latest round of PCR testing which took place on Monday.
"The club has taken the immediate action of closing the training ground and isolating all players, coaches and support staff.
"We have been working closely with EPCR and PRL and it is with regret that our game versus Section Paloise in the EPCR Challenge Cup on Saturday has had to be forfeited by Saracens due to our inability to field a 23-man squad for this fixture.
"In addition to positive Covid-19 cases, we have players self-isolating due to being close contacts and a number of players who are currently injured. The need to forfeit the fixture will result in a 28-0 loss, and five match points to Pau as set out in the EPCR tournament rules.
"This is extremely disappointing for everyone at the club but as always the health and wellbeing of our people is our priority at this time. The squad will return to full training on December 24 following the necessary period of isolation. We would like to reassure our supporters that our Gallagher Premiership fixture versus Worcester Warriors on December 26 will still take place and we very much look forward to seeing you all at StoneX Stadium for a feast of festive rugby."
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Latest Comments
It sounds like Andrew is trying to convince himself or has just lost all perspective. The team did look jaded for the last couple of games of the six nations but a few things were wrong there. Italy tackled their hearts out and made Ireland work hard for every try. Outsmarted by Scotland? Huh? Ireland got held up over the line about 4 times. Scotland did nothing on attack the whole game other than one breakaway near the end. A recharge and reset is needed which they hopefully will have had before the SA your.
Go to commentsIncluding SA and Argie teams was great for the quality of rugby, but middle of the night games and player travel/ jet lag make that unworkable. I think that SA in Europe and Argie building an American league with USA, Canada etc would be better long term. If Oz can't sustain Rebels then next cab off the rank should be a Japanese team. Keep regional comps to time zones, both club and test rugby. Then existing test windows for test tours plus RWC.
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