Positive Covid cases threaten London Irish's Heineken Champions Cup qualification

London Irish's final round Gallagher Premiership clash against Bristol Bears is in doubt following positive cases of Covid-19 in the Exiles squad.

According to reports, a small number of Covid-19 positive cases were reported in the London Irish squad and a secondary round of testing was conducted to verify the results.

If the results again return positive for novel coronavirus, then it will force a majority of their squad members to be isolated leaving them short of matchday 23 options which would lead to the cancellation of the fixture.

The news will be a big blow for London Irish, who are eyeing for a qualification to the Heineken Champions Cup next season as they would end up getting just two points. They are currently positioned ninth in the table with 46 points - one behind Bath Rugby, who face Northampton Saints on Saturday.

Four points for Bristol will see them finish the league stage at the top with 85 points with Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks locking horns with each other on Saturday in the battle for the second place.

Earlier, Gloucester’s match against Worcester to be played at Sixways was cancelled due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the Cherry and Whites squad.