WARRIORS IN SALE BOYCOTT THREAT

Solomons: They had 19 positive tests.. it’s a red flag

WORCESTER are ready to boycott the match holding up English rugby’s club season – even if they are told it is safe to play.

Warriors are due to face Sale tomorrow with the home side needing victory to deny Bath the last place in the Premiership semi-finals.

And should Worcester go through with their threat, it would mean they officially forfeit the match, handing Sale a 20-0 win and knocking out Bath from the play-offs.

The match was postponed on Saturday after 16 Sharks players and three backroom staff tested positive for coronavirus. Sale claim to have followed every protocol and say there is no health risk.

But Worcester boss Alan Solomons (above) is deeply concerned and argued 19 positives constitutes a “definite cluster”. And he is not won over by Sale’s assurance none of their players went out and partied after winning the Premiership Cup a fortnight ago.

“It is certainly a red flag to have 19 people test positive,” he said. “That is an extraordinarily high number.

“It lends credence to what I am reading in the media about there being late- night celebrations after the Premiership Cup – and that there was partying going on at Manchester Met University.”

Solomons said he had not seen the WhatsApp message reportedly sent by one of Sale’s representatives claiming to have been out celebrating until 6.30am, but that “the source who told me was pretty trustworthy”.

Sale said they “refuted” all allegations “regarding players being in central Manchester or on university campuses” after the cup final. However, they did pledge that “if the club feel it is not safe to play and/or receive one additional positive test” in today’s latest round of testing, they will forfeit the match.

Solomons said he understands Sale have had a good season and are determined to make the play-offs, but insists this goes beyond rugby.

He added that while he trusts the powers that be to make the right call, Worcester reserve the right to make up their own minds.

“They can take the decision they want,” Solomons said.

“At that point we will hopeful ly be in a position of having all the relevant facts, so we can then consider our position properly.”