Blues handed 28-0 victory after Stade refuse to play

CARDIFF Blues were handed a 28-0 victory after Stade Francais pulled out of their Challenge Cup fixture the day before.

The two sides were scheduled to meet on Sunday, but the French outfit pulled out due to concerns over the “Covid-19 status of their players and staff”.

Stade Francais played Benetton the previous weekend, with the Italian club having since recorded a number of positive tests, leading to their fixture against Agen being called off.

Despite no evidence of positive tests at the French club and a medical risk assessment committee deeming the fixture at Rodney Parade as safe to go ahead, Stade were reluctant to travel to Wales.

A EPCR statement read: “EPCR have been informed by Stade Francais Paris that due to the club’s concerns regarding the Covid-19 status of their players and staff, they believe it is unwise to fulfil their Challenge Cup preliminary stage fixture against Cardiff Blues scheduled for (Sunday, December 20) at Rodney Parade, and EPCR have decided that the match should therefore be cancelled.

“Following the decision to cancel, a match result resolution committee comprising EPCR director general Vincent Gaillard, EPCR board member Andrea Rinaldo, EPCR Covid-19 manager Tom Walsh, EPCR chief financial officer Anthony Lepage, and EPCR head of governance and regulations Liam Mctiernan was convened on Saturday to determine the outcome of the fixture.

“The committee considered all the factors and Cardiff Blues were deemed to be the winners, and were awarded five match points on a scoreline of 28-0.

“EPCR would again like to emphasise that blame was not considered as a factor during the deliberations, and the committee’s decision was made with a view to facilitating the completion of this season’s Challenge Cup in unprecedented circumstances.”