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Bath, Glasgow and defending champions Exeter all handed 28-0 defeats after round two cancellations
European rugby officials have decided the results for three of the four called-off round two matches this weekend, Bath, Glasgow and defending champions Exeter all given 28-0 defeats. An outbreak of Covid in the Exeter camp following last Sunday’s win over Glasgow resulted in their respective round two matches at Toulouse and at home to Lyon being cancelled on Wednesday.
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That was followed by the decision on Thursday night to cancel Bath’s match at La Rochelle, a development that had further consequences on Friday as Toulon refused to turn up at Pary y Scarlets to play their match versus Scarlets, the club that defeated Bath last Saturday and had since reported that one player had tested positive for the virus.
The status of that match is currently postponed rather than cancelled, which means Toulon have not forfeited the match, but EPCR have reached a decision on the outcome of the three cancelled games.
A statement read: “Following the cancellation of the Heineken Champions Cup round two fixtures between Glasgow Warriors and Lyon, La Rochelle and Bath, 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 on Friday.
A Parc y Scarlets shambleshttps://t.co/ACcdnjdw8s
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 18, 2020
“In respect of the Glasgow Warriors vs Lyon Pool B fixture which had been scheduled for Saturday at Scotstoun, it was decided that as Glasgow 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 vs Bath match in Pool A which had also been scheduled for Saturday 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.
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“In respect of the Toulouse vs Exeter Chiefs fixture in Pool B which had been scheduled for Sunday at Stade Ernest Wallon, it was decided that as Exeter 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.”
The boardroom results effectively rule out the prospects of Bath and Glasgow progressing to the quarter-finals after round one losses, while qualification pressure has been heaped on champions Exeter despite their opening win over the Warriors.
DECISIONS OF THE MATCH RESULT RESOLUTION COMMITTEE
Pool A – La Rochelle 28 (4 converted tries) Bath Rugby 0
Match points – La Rochelle 5 Bath Rugby 0
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Pool B – Glasgow Warriors 0 Lyon 28 (4 converted tries)
Match points – Glasgow Warriors 0 Lyon 5
Pool B – Toulouse 28 (4 converted tries) Exeter Chiefs 0
Match points – Toulouse 5 Exeter Chiefs 0
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Sandy Park fallout has just taken another twist#GuinnessPRO14https://t.co/hPnGYTj7xx
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 18, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
smith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
36 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
36 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
36 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
36 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
36 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
36 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
36 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
36 Go to comments