RFU left frustrated by Baa-baas cancellation

ENGLAND’S game against the Barbarians on Sunday has been cancelled after it emerged that the invitational side broke coronavirus guidelines twice this week.

On Thursday, it emerged that 12 Barbarians players, including former England skipper Chris Robshaw and fellow international Richard Wigglesworth, broke coronavirus regulations.

The dozen individuals left the Covid-secure bubble at the team hotel for a meal, without authorisation, and were thrown out of the squad for their actions.

The RFU’S investigation into the matter found that another undisclosed breach occurred earlier in the week, when players again left the hotel and, on that occasion did not isolate from the rest of the squad.

English rugby’s governing body felt they were left with no choice but to call off the match after the Barbarians’ Covid bubble had been compromised.

“We are incredibly disappointed to be calling a halt to this fixture, we know how much fans were looking forward to seeing the teams play,” said RFU CEO Bill Sweeney.

“However, our priority is to protect the health and safety of the

England squad and the other international teams they will go up against this autumn.

“There has been a great deal of effort put into Covid codes of conduct and planning for games, including cooperation with Premiership clubs to release additional players to fulfil the fixture safely, and we are all incredibly frustrated and disappointed that the actions of a number of Barbarians players mean we no longer feel it is safe for the game to go ahead.”

On Thursday, the Barbarians had scrambled to get a matchday 23 together to face Eddie Jones’ side.

Three Welshmen – Will Boyde, Max Llewellyn and Ioan Davies –had been called up to help put a side together and it seemed that the match was salvaged.

All new players had tested negative for Covid-19, but the RFU were not convinced and refused to sign off on the Barbarians’ new matchday 23.

Amid fears that England’s entire autumn campaign was at risk if the game went ahead and members of their squad became infected, the game was called off.