Tigers suffer a new Covid setback as their historic derby fixture with Saints is called off
NORTHAMPTON RETURN A NUMBER OF POSITIVE TESTS AND THE CLUB’S TRAINING GROUND HAS BEEN CLOSED
LEICESTER Tigers’ hugely-anticipated East Midlands derby against Northampton Saints on Saturday has been cancelled after a Covid outbreak.
In this week’s round of PCR testing ahead of the Franklin’s Gardens clash, the Saints returned a number of positive tests, and had further players unavailable for selection following the contact tracing process.
In close consultation with Public Health England, the match has subsequently been called off and Saints’ training also cancelled until the next round of testing, scheduled for Monday, January 11.
Tigers can realistically expect to be awarded four points and Saints two, with a 0-0 scoreline declared.
It is the second time in three weeks that Tigers have been subject to a match cancellation after suffering their own Covid-19 outbreak that put paid to their Boxing Day trip to Newcastle.
The Falcons were awarded four four points on that occasion, and the Tigers two.
Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick admitted the squad was disappointed to learn the match against rivals Saints had been called off but stressed health and safety was “paramount” during this challenging period.
“It is very disappointing we won’t have the opportunity to take on Northampton this weekend,” said Borthwick.
“But the health and safety of everyone is paramount and we wish everyone at Saints well during this time.
“We understand the situation, having been through it, and will offer whatever support we can to our friends down the road.”
Borthwick also expressed a shared frustration with supporters of both teams, who will miss one of the league’s most historic fixtures, and said the club’s focus now switches to the return to European competition.
“The match is one everyone in rugby looks forward to, especially supporters of both sides, and we appreciate the frustrations of fans,” he said.
“Our focus will now switch to Bayonne, in the next round of Europe, and maximising our preparation for that fixture.”
Tigers’ next scheduled match is the European Challenge Cup clash against Bayonne at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Friday, January 15.
The East Midlands derby is the fifth Premiership match to be cancelled in just over a fortnight because of Covid-19.
The Saints players involved in the latest outbreak have already begun a 10-day isolation period in accordance with the guidelines set out by Public Health England.
“We are incredibly disappointed and frustrated that we are unable to proceed with such an important fixture for the club,” said Northampton’s director of rugby Chris Boyd.
“The East Midlands derby is a day that Saints supporters will have circled in their calendar months in advance.
“It’s a game entrenched in history and one our players particularly relish being a part of.” Northampton’s away match against London Irish last weekend was scrapped because of positive tests in the Irish camp. “It’s also a big blow to have backto-back matches cancelled, as we had hoped to pick up some momentum again following an important win on Boxing Day,” said Boyd. “The club has been absolutely rigorous in how we have followed the protocols laid out for us, and despite returning a number of positive tests this week, we were confident that we have more than enough of our squad still healthy and available to play the game if required. “However, we are following the advice we have been given, which was not to play the game and to close our training facility until next week.
“While this is a bitter pill to swallow, the health and safety of the players, staff and families of everyone at both Saints and Tigers is, of course, paramount.” When the London Irish match was called off, Saints were awarded a win and four league points, and Irish a loss and two league points.
Under Premiership Rugby’s regulations, following the cancellation of the Northampton Saints-Leicester Tigers fixture, a Premiership Rugby panel will now be convened to determine the allocation of points.
It remains to be seen whether any of the remaining five Gallagher Premiership fixtures this week will be affected.
Premiership champions Exeter also revealed “some” positive Covid19 tests in camp, but their weekend clash with Bristol at Sandy Park is still scheduled to go ahead.
Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter said there had been “a slight impact on the availability of players but not huge”.
Asked yesterday if he was confident the game will go ahead, Baxter said: “At this stage I’m very confident. But experience has told me that every time I’ve said I am confident about where the Covid scenario is within club rugby, something comes around and the opposite happens.”
We understand the situation, having been through it, and will offer what support we can
Steve Borthwick