Gloucester's season over after new virus case

NEWS: Gloucester’s season is over after a second successive match was cancelled because of an outbreak of COVID-19 at the English Premiership club.

Saturday’s bottom-of-the-table clash away to Worcester on the final day of the regular season has been called off after a derby against Bath also fell victim to COVID-19.

Gloucester returned a number of positive tests last week and an additional confirmed case on Monday forced several new players into self-isolation.

The club have written to Premiership Rugby to confirm they are unable to field a matchday 23 against Worcester.

“We are in consultation with Public Health England over this outbreak and while no one wants to call off any match, especially the last game of the season, our priority is the health and safety of everyone involved with Gloucester and Worcester,” said a Premiership Rugby spokesman.

Under league regulations governing cancellation because of COVID-19, Worcester will be awarded four points and Gloucester two.

It confirms that Gloucester will finish in 11th place, while the Warriors were already condemned to bottom spot in a season without relegation.