CANCELLED: Cheetahs out of play-off race as EPCR gives points to Ulster
NEWS: The Cheetahs are officially out of the race for a Challenge Cup Round of 16 spot.
Late on Sunday, tournament organisers European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) made the decision to cancel the Bloemfontein side’s match against Ulster.
It comes after the Round Three match was originally postponed after the pitch at Dukes Rugby Club in ‘S-Hertogenbosch was deemed to be unplayable by referee Kevin Bralley.
In a statement, EPRC said “the match result should be recorded as 0-28 win to Ulster Rugby, and five points will subsequently be awarded to Ulster Rugby”.
Tournament regulations state that “it is the hosting club’s responsibility to ensure the match can go ahead”. For their home games, the Cheetahs are based in the Netherlands.
On Friday, the fixture had to be moved from the Cheetahs’ base in Amsterdam (NRCA Stadium) to ‘S-Hertogenbosch due to “adverse weather conditions” in the capital.
A brutal cold snap gripped Europe over the last week. It brought heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures.
This latest development means the Cheetahs are out of the race for a Round of 16 spot as they sit at the bottom of Pool Three with zero points ahead of their final match against Racing 92 in France next weekend.
See the full EPCR statement below:
EPCR has made the decision to cancel the EPCR Challenge Cup Pool 3 Round 3 fixture between Toyota Cheetahs and Ulster Rugby.
Upon review of all the information available, the match result should be recorded as 0-28 win to Ulster Rugby, and five points will subsequently be awarded to Ulster Rugby.
Despite the obvious challenges connected with the playing of this fixture, and noting the incredible efforts of the Toyota Cheetahs and Rugby Nederland to ensure the fixture could take place, it is the hosting club’s responsibility to ensure the match can go ahead; and therefore the match result must be recorded as a 0-28 four-try bonus point win for Ulster Rugby, with five match points being awarded as a consequence, pursuant to EPCR regulations.
EPCR would like to thank Toyota Cheetahs, Rugby Nederland and Ulster Rugby for their support throughout this process.
