Grand National falls to the virus

By Neil Squires

THE CORONAVIRUS claimed more sport yesterday with the Grand National joining rugby league, rugby union and football’s National League in being postponed.

Sandy Dudgeon, senior steward of the Jockey Club, said: “We were working on a plan to stage the Grand National behind closed doors given its importance to the racing industry and beyond but, following the new Government measures, this is not a viable option.”

All rugby union in England has been shut down until April 14. An RFU spokesperson said: “Following Government advice, the RFU will suspend all rugby in England, including club training, league and cup matches plus

rugby education courses, until April 14 subject to continued review.”

The Premiership clubs debated ideas to enable them to complete the season yesterday. One idea is that the Premiership play-offs and final at Twickenham on June 20 scrapped and replaced with a straight league season.

Equally, European organisers want to see their competitions reach a conclusion.

“EPCR remains committed to trying to find a solution which will enable it to complete the 2019-20 Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup tournaments,” said a spokesman.

Premiership Rugby said: “We will be postponing our season for five weeks, in line with today’s advice from Prime Minister Boris Johnson, which confirmed that the Government would no longer support mass gatherings.”