Gloucester awarded five points after game against Northampton Saints cancelled

Gloucester Rugby have been awarded five points after their final round of the Gallagher Premiership game against Northampton Saints to be played at Kingsholm Stadium on Sunday has been cancelled.

The decision follows after 16 players from Sale Sharks have been tested positive for Covid-19 and with Northampton being their previous round opponent, the Saints players are currently on self isolation according to the guidelines.

A statement released by Premiership Rugby confirmed the news on the cancellation of the game.

"Northampton Saints informed Premiership Rugby on Friday that they had insufficient front row players to start the match.

"The situation was created as a result of a large number of positive COVID-19 tests at Sale Sharks, following the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between the two sides last Tuesday evening.

Following the completion of the Track and Trace Audit, a number of the Northampton Saints playing squad are now self-isolating, in accordance with Public Health England guidance"

Chief Executive at Premiership Rugby Darren Childs expressed disappointment on the decision but stressed on the players' health being the priority. According to the Premiership regulation, Gloucester were awarded a 20-0 win that has taken them to 46 points in the table.

“When we embarked on Rugby Restart back in August we said from the outset that the health and safety of everyone involved with Premiership Rugby was our priority.

“We completed eight of the nine rounds of Gallagher Premiership Rugby without losing a match so it is with great regret that we make this announcement today.

“We understand and fully sympathise with Northampton Saints’ position. They are in this position due to no fault of their own, but unfortunately they cannot fulfil the fixture.”