Chiefs’ defence of Euro crown hangs in balance
AN asterisk might just have to be put next to the winner of the 2020/21 European Heineken Champions Cup as defending champions Exeter Chiefs’ place in the tournament hangs in the balance.
Tournament organisers EPCR have handed Toulouse a 28-0 victory in Round Two of the pool stages after Exeter were forced to forfeit the game in France following a break out of Covid-19 within their squad.
Chiefs got off to a stunning start in the competition with a comprehensive 42-0 win over Glasgow Warriors, and were due to face the side they beat 28-18 at Sandy Park in the semifinals of last season’s competition Toulouse, this weekend before confirming an outbreak of the virus.
As things stand, mathematically Exeter can still reach the quarterfinals of this season having picked up five match points from their Round One game but will now likely need a minimum of 10 match points from their remaining fixtures away at Glasgow and home to Toulouse to even have a chance of progressing under the new format of the competition which sees sides play just four pool stages and four sides from a group of 12 teams advance to the knock-out stages.
Here is the official statement from EPCR:
‘Following the cancellation of the Heineken Champions Cup, Round 2 fixtures between Glasgow Warriors and Lyon, La Rochelle and Bath Rugby, and Toulouse and Exeter Chiefs, in the interests of the health and safety of players and club staff alike, the results of the matches have been decided by a Match Result Resolution Committee.
‘The committee, comprising EPCR Director General, Vincent Gaillard, EPCR Board member, Andrea Rinaldo, and EPCR Head of Governance and Regulations, Liam McTiernan, considered the facts regarding the cancelled matches today (Friday, 18 December).
‘In respect of the Glasgow Warriors v Lyon Pool B fixture which had been scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday, 19 December) at Scotstoun, it was decided that as Glasgow Warriors were unable to safely field a matchday squad due to the unavailability of a significant number of isolating players, Lyon were deemed to be the winners, and were awarded five match points on a scoreline of 28-0.
‘In respect of the La Rochelle v Bath Rugby match in Pool A which had also been scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday, 19 December) at Stade Marcel Deflandre, it was decided that as Bath were unable to safely field a matchday squad due to the unavailability of a significant number of isolating players, in addition to reported injuries to other squad members, La Rochelle were deemed to be the winners, and were awarded five match points on a scoreline of 28-0 .
‘In respect of the Toulouse v Exeter Chiefs fixture in Pool B which had been scheduled for Sunday (20 December) at Stade Ernest Wallon, it was decided that as Exeter Chiefs had recorded a number of positive tests for COVID-19 among players and staff and were therefore unable to travel to France to fulfil the fixture on public health advice, Toulouse were deemed to be the winners, and were awarded five match points on a scoreline of 28-0.
EPCR would like to emphasise that blame was not considered as a factor during the deliberations, and the committee’s decisions were made with a view to facilitating the completion of this season’s Heineken Champions Cup in unprecedented circumstances.