Bristol-Llanelli, a first match canceled due to Covid even before the first day

The EPCR (European Professional Club Rugby) announced, on Tuesday December 7, via a press release, that the Bristol Bears-Scarlets match, scheduled for Saturday December 11 at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol (England) as part of the first day Champions Cup, was canceled. The instance was informed by the Scarlets that “the club is not able to play its match” Due to “their worries in terms of player health and their inability to field a competitive team“.

As a reminder, the majority of Llanelli’s team, returning from South Africa where they played in the United rugby championship (URC), have been isolated for a few days in a hotel in Belfast due to measures taken by the British government. concerning the Omicron variant of Covid-19. The EPCR has acknowledged that it is aware that “the unfortunate events of the past few weeks have had an impact on the players and staff of the Scarlets, without their being responsible“.

The Bristol Bears are “considered winners by a score of 28-0 with five ranking points awarded, in accordance with the Tournament Rules“added the instance. She explained this decision to give the victory to the Bristol Bears is”a tournament management measure whose objective is to ensure that all the results of the 2021: 2022 Champions Cup season are clarified. ” This was already the case last season, to allow the competition to come to an end, without the matches being postponed. This new wave of Covid-19 which is raging in Europe has led the EPCR to allow clubs to expand their list of players likely to play in the European Cup this season.