Off.

EPCR has learned that following last weekend’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 1 match between Bath Rugby and Scarlets, a Scarlets player returned a positive test for COVID-19 and that result has had a subsequent impact on Bath’s preparation for their Round 2 match against La Rochelle.

Bath have informed EPCR that the Scarlets player in question has been identified as a close contact of 12 of the Gallagher Premiership club’s matchday squad from the Round 1 fixture.

With a significant number of their senior players consequently self-isolating in accordance with public health guidelines and unavailable for selection, in addition to reported injuries to several other squad members, Bath are unable to safely field a matchday 23 of the required standard in order to fulfil the Round 2 fixture.

The Pool A match between La Rochelle and Bath which was scheduled for Saturday (19 December) at Stade Marcel-Deflandre is therefore cancelled.

As per its COVID-19 protocol, EPCR will convene a Match Result Resolution Committee to determine the result of the match and the decision of the committee will be communicated as soon as practicable.

Exeter vs Toulouse and Glasgow vs Lyon were cancelled yesterday, bringing the total amount of games cancelled this week to three as things stand.