Toulon pull plug two hours before KO

SCARLETS’ Champions Cup match at home to Toulon on Friday was called off less than two hours before kick-off.

Toulon pulled out because of concerns about a Scarlets player testing positive for Covid-19 after playing against Bath last weekend.

Scarlets withdrew the player and his close contacts from training before naming their side to face Toulon. The action satisfied European rugby organisers but not Toulon’s management.

Bath’s match with La Rochelle was called off because the English club said they had 12 players self-isolating after being in close contact with the Scarlets player last weekend.

Exeter’s trip to Toulouse was also cancelled because of a Covid-19 outbreak at the Chiefs. Glasgow’s home fixture against Lyon yesterday was also called off because the Warriors played Exeter last weekend.

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) and Scarlets offered Toulon a postponement until Sunday to allow the hosts’ squad to be retested for coronavirus.

A Toulon statement said the club are “aware of the serious consequences” of deciding not to play.