Three URC fixtures called off for New Year's weekend

Following significant disruptions to recent rounds of the United Rugby Championship, three further fixtures have been called off ahead of the first weekend of the new year.

A number of positive Covid-19 cases have been reported by Cardiff, Dragons, Ulster and Glasgow Warriors, leading to the postponement of three Round 9 matches:

• Dragons v Cardiff Rugby
• Ulster v Leinster
• Edinburgh v Glasgow Warriors

The games are set to be re-scheduled for the future, however the number of available weeks are diminishing quickly, with a slew of prior matches already likely to be played during the Six Nations.

“The games were due to take place on Saturday and Sunday (January 1 and 2), however, a number of positive Covid-19 cases in Cardiff, Dragons, Ulster and Glasgow Warriors squads have been reported,” a URC statement read.

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“The URC Medical Advisory Group has liaised with the medical teams at Cardiff, Dragons, Glasgow Warriors, Ulster and their respective health authorities and deemed that these fixtures cannot go ahead as scheduled.

“The United Rugby Championship will now consider available dates to reschedule these games.”

The last URC fixture to go ahead was played on Christmas Eve, with Benetton securing a 39-14 win over Italian rivals Zebre. The remaining seven matches of Round 8 were all postponed.

With a number of the Round 2 clashes of the Champions and Challenge Cups called off the weekend prior, the likes of Leinster, Scarlets and Dragons haven’t played any fixtures since December 11.