Boxing day Premiership game between Newcastle and Leicester cancelled

The fourth round Boxing Day fixture in the Gallagher Premiership between Newcastle and Leicester has been cancelled following a Covid-19 outbreak in the Tigers squad.

The game was scheduled to take place at Kingston Park on Saturday but according to the latest round of testing the Tigers camp returned a 'small number of positive cases' which also forced a large number of their squad members to undergo self-isolation.

Steve Borthwick's side recently completed wins over Brive and Bayonne in the opening two rounds of European Challenge Cup.

Earlier, teams were awarded automatic points for Covid-19 cancelled games but a rule change in November meant a panel will convene to determine the allocation of points on what will be the first cancelled fixture in this season of the Premiership,

"Our priority is the health and safety of everyone involved with Leicester Tigers and Newcastle Falcons and we will give the clubs any support they need," read a statement from Premiership Rugby.

"Neither Premiership Rugby nor the club will be naming any of the players or staff involved and we'd ask everyone to respect their privacy."

Newcastle Falcons are unbeaten in the tournament with three wins from as many games and are positioned second in the Gallagher Premiership table while Leicester are at eighth place with a solitary win from three matches.