Top League cancels opening four rounds due to Covid outbreak

The Japan Rugby Football Union has confirmed the opening four rounds of the 2021 season of Top League has been cancelled due to a Covid-19 outbreak.

The news follows after the organisers announced that the start of the competition will be delayed after 68 members were tested positive for Covid-19 across six teams.

The tournament which was originally scheduled to begin on 16th January is now scheduled to kick-start in mid February with a new format expected to be announced shortly.

"The Japan Rugby Top League (JRTL) has announced that it cancels the matches from Round 1 to 4 of this season’s Top League," read a statement from the competition's official website.

JRTL has reached to this decision as it is important for all players, including those tested positive and counted as close contacts, to have adequate preparation time before the season kicks off.

"The League sincerely apologizes to the fans who bought the tickets and looked forward to the matches for the inconveniences caused by this decision".