Ulster's URC meeting with Connacht on Boxing Day called off

Ulster’s United Rugby Championship clash with Connacht on Boxing Day has been postponed because of coronavirus.

Other derby games between Munster and Leinster and the Ospreys and Dragons had previously been postponed.

It leaves Cardiff’s home game with Scarlets as the only remaining URC fixture to be played on Sunday.

A URC statement said: “The game was due to take place on Sunday, 26th December in Belfast, however, a number of positive Covid-19 cases within the Ulster Rugby squad have been reported by the province.

“The URC Medical Advisory Group has liaised with Ulster Rugby and the local health authorities and deemed that the fixture cannot go ahead as scheduled.

“The United Rugby Championship will now consider available dates to reschedule the game.”

Sunday’s Gallagher Premiership programme plans to go ahead as scheduled with five games set to be played.

The competition’s round of matches is due to be completed by Monday’s game between Harlequins and Northampton.