Clubs to lose points for Covid breaches

PREMIERSHIP clubs could face points deductions for serious breaches of Covid protocols as English rugby tries to limit the spread of the virus. Face-to-face try celebrations, ice baths and eating indoors are all banned as part of an 18-point list of tighter restrictions around training and matchdays. The RFU have revealed that, in the event of a ‘reckless’ or ‘intentional’ breach with ‘high consequence’, the matter will be sent to a disciplinary panel where a player or coach could receive an eight-match ban and their club could be deducted up to 10 league points. Substitutes have been told to warm up during games in their team’s defensive dead-ball area, to help avoid celebrating with on-field players after tries. And this week the RFU will start sending video clips to all clubs, highlighting where their matchday behaviour could improve. ‘The intention is to encourage good behaviour, but if clubs or players are consistently found to be not following the minimum operating standards the RFU will consider taking action in line with the disciplinary framework,’ said an RFU statement. Newcastle will have to make a late call on whether their match at home to Gloucester can be played today after a deluge of snow hit the North East. Under Premiership regulations, a match can be moved within the same weekend if bad weather forces a postponement. The Falcons are hoping to cement their strong start to the season having beaten Wasps, Bath and Sale already. Captain Mark Wilson, who had to wait eight months to join the Premiership with Newcastle as the Championship was mothballed, is keen to make up for lost time. ‘I’d say 2020 was probably the toughest year of my career,’ said the 31-year-old. ‘The two things we thought about before this season were enjoyment and gratefulness.’ Meanwhile, Eddie Jones (above) is attending three games this weekend as he fine-tunes his Six Nations plans. But the England head coach may not be able to gauge contenders in European auditions over the next fortnight, amid a growing risk that continental competition will be suspended over coronavirus fears.