Exeter awarded Premiership Rugby Cup victory over covid stricken Bath
EXETER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 09: Sam Simmonds of Exeter Chiefs celebrates their sides fifth try with team mates Tom O'Flaherty, Stuart Hogg and Alec Hepburn during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Exeter Chiefs and Worcester Warriors at Sandy Park on October 09, 2021 in Exeter, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)
Exeter have been awarded a 28-0 Premiership Rugby Cup third-round win after opponents Bath were unable to field a team due to coronavirus and injuries.
The scheduled match was meant to take place at The Rec on Wednesday December 29th. However, a depleted Bath squad did not have enough front-row forwards to start the game.
Bath’s Premiership fixture with London Irish on Monday was also postponed due to coronavirus and injuries.
A Premiership Rugby spokesperson said on Monday afternoon: “As the tournament organiser, Premiership Rugby has to rule on all match cancellations. We must determine if the match cancellation is as a result of Covid-19 or due to other factors.
“This match was cancelled due to the combination of positive cases, injuries and unavailabilities leaving Bath Rugby unable to fulfil its fixture obligations under the Premiership Rugby Cup regulations because the club had insufficient front-row forwards.
“Therefore the match is awarded to Exeter Chiefs 28-0, with the Chiefs receiving five match points.”
