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Decision made over cancelled Ulster match with impact across Challenge Cup
By Josh Raisey
Ulster have been awarded maximum points and a 28-0 win after their Challenge Cup fixture with the Cheetahs was cancelled on Sunday.
The match at s-Hertogenbosch’s Duke Rugby Club in the Netherlands was cancelled an hour before kick-off due to an unplayable pitch. The match had already been relocated from Amsterdam’s NRCA Stadium due to freezing temperatures.
An EPCR statement reads: “EPCR has made the decision to cancel the EPCR Challenge Cup Pool 3 Round 3 fixture between Toyota Cheetahs and Ulster Rugby.
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“Upon review of all the information available, the match result should be recorded as 0-28 win to Ulster Rugby, and five points will subsequently be awarded to Ulster Rugby.
“Despite the obvious challenges connected with the playing of this fixture, and noting the incredible efforts of the Toyota Cheetahs and Rugby Nederland to ensure the fixture could take place, it is the hosting club’s responsibility to ensure the match can go ahead; and therefore the match result must be recorded as a 0-28 four-try bonus point win for Ulster Rugby, with five match points being awarded as a consequence, pursuant to EPCR regulations.
“EPCR would like to thank Toyota Cheetahs, Rugby Nederland and Ulster Rugby for their support throughout this process.”
This outcome had a major outcome on the rest of Pool 3, confirming the four teams that will qualify for the play-offs with a round to spare.
The Cheetahs, who are winless and without a point, needed a victory to keep their play-off hopes alive ahead of a trip to Racing 92 next week.
However, their loss ensured they cannot overtake Exeter Chiefs, who are fourth with nine points. Similarly, fifth place Racing, who are six points behind the Chiefs, cannot qualify either.
Had Ulster lost to the Cheetahs, they would have hosted Stade Francais in need of a victory. Instead, they will welcome the Parisians knowing a victory will likely crown them pool winners.
The result also guarantees qualification for Cardiff and Exeter, who face each other next weekend at Sandy Park.
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