The FINAL countdown can begin
WASPS GET READY FOR TWICKENHAM SHOWPIECE AFTER COVID ALL-CLEAR
WASPS have been cleared to compete in the showpiece of the English rugby season, with the boss of opponents Exeter Chiefs describing it as ‘the final most people wanted’.
Positive coronavirus results from tests carried out last week left Wasps’ participation in Saturday’s Premiership final at Twickenham in serious doubt, with Bristol Bears placed on standby to take their place.
However, a return of a clean sweep of negatives from this week’s Premiership Rugby Covid19 screening cleared the path for Lee Blackett’s side to take their place in the final.
This followed seven positive cases that recorded in last week’s screening and an additional four that resulted from an extra round ordered by Wasps over the weekend.
After 12 agonising days since Blackett’s side booked their rightful place in the Twickenham Stadium encounter with a 47-24 semi-final victory over Bristol, they will now be able to start preparing for their shot at glory.
After meeting Public Health England and Premiership Rugby Ltd, Wasps broke the news in a statement released at 9am yesterday.
It said: “Further to Tuesday’s round of the PCR Covid-19 screening programme, Wasps can confirm that no further players or staff have tested positive. A test from one of the coaching staff, who tested negative on Saturday, was damaged in transit and that person will be working socially distanced until their result is confirmed.
“The team will now return to training in preparation for this Saturday’s Premiership Rugby final.
“The club’s Covid-19 contact tracing, measures and protocols, which remain rigorous, will continue to be adhered to.” However, the Coventry Telegraph understands that despite the latest round of negative results, the knock-on effect of previous positive cases within the group will have a big impact on the squad head coach Blackett will be able to select. This is due to players who have directly tested positive for coronavirus and having to self-isolate and also players who have been in close proximity to team-mates and coaches who have tested positive. Exeter boss Rob Baxter said Chiefs versus Wasps was a final contest to be savoured.
“It’s good news,” said Baxter. “The reality of it is it is the final
The truth is they’re the biggest threat outside of ourselves... They are the biggest competition we can have just purely based on form.
Rob Baxter
most people wanted, the two semi final winners coming through.
“We ourselves had our all-clear this morning as well, completely negative right across the board. That’s fantastic news for us, because everyone was getting concerned with the Wasps situation, we were concerned about ourselves, making sure we came through it.
“We anticipated we would. We haven’t had any issues with the testing so far, that’s proved to the case. I got a message from Lee saying their testing had gone well so we can confirm and get on with things.”
Since winning their Premiership semi-final against Bath a fortnight ago, the Chiefs become champions of Europe after defeating Racing 92 in the final on Saturday.
Now they face a repeat of the 2016/17 Premiership final against Wasps and Baxter is fully aware of the challenge ahead of his side on Saturday.
“The truth is they’re the biggest threat outside of ourselves,” said Baxter. “They’re on form, they’re the form team, they’ve worked their way towards second in the league, they’ve won their semifinal at home. They are the biggest competition we can have just purely based on form.
“They’ve got numerous good players, they’ve got numerous good threats, they’re enjoying how they play. All those kind of things that you worry about. The flipside of that, we’re enjoying how we play as well. We’re having success, we’re doing well, we’re well hardened in the tough games, we’ve had numerous tough games throughout the season.”
“It’s got every ingredient to be a very good game. We’re confident with how we’re playing, we think we’re going well. Wasps will feel the same, it will be an interesting few days and who can pin things down the best and turn up at Twickenham on the day in the best frame of mind and commit the best for 80 minutes.”
Stephen Vaughan, Wasps Group CEO, said: “I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to Premiership Rugby, the RFU, Public
Health England and Public Health Warwickshire for their clarity and assistance throughout this whole process.
“As a club, we are delighted that we can now take our rightful place in this Saturday’s Premiership Rugby final. To all of our fans and well-wishers, thank you for your many messages of support, this final is for you!”
The news of Wasps being cleared to play was confirmed in a brief statement from Premiership Rugby.
It read: “Premiership Rugby can confirm that Wasps have been given the all-clear to take their rightful place in the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final against Exeter Chiefs. Everyone at Premiership Rugby is delighted to confirm Wasps’ place after the latest round of PCR Covid-19 tests.”
In a tweet, Bristol posted: “We thought we might have been in... but now we’re out. Congratulations to @Waspsrugby and @Exeterchiefs. Deserved finalists and we wish you both the best of luck for the final. Go well!”