From The Telegraph: Report by Gavin Mairs, CHIEF RUGBY UNION CORRESPONDENT
Sale Sharks' make-or-break Premiership clash with Worcester cancelled after more positive Covid tests
Sale Sharks' match against Worcester Warriors has been called off after the north west club received more positive tests for Covid-19 within their squad, Telegraph Sport understands.
It is thought that around half-a-dozen new positive cases have been identified overnight following the latest round of testing on Tuesday, dashing Sale’s hopes of reaching the Premiership play-offs.
Sale had said they would forfeit the fixture if they reached any more positive tests, or if they felt it was not safe to go ahead, after 19 positive tests last Friday forced their match against Worcester on Sunday to be postponed.
The latest results were being considered by the Premiership’s Oversight Group on Wednesday morning but sources confirmed that a decision has already been taken to call
Sale required a victory to leapfrog Bath into fourth place but the forfeit means that Worcester will record a 20-0 win under the restart regulations.
The decision will come as a relief to Worcester, who had held grave reservations about the fixture going ahead, given that several Northampton players were forced to self-isolate after playing against Sale last Tuesday night.
The ripple effects of Sale Sharks’ mass Covid-19 outbreak even extended into Eddie Jones’ England camp as Northampton centre Piers Francis tested positive for the virus.
Francis, who was included in an initial 28-man squad, will not enter England’s training camp and will isolate at home.
Sale's forfeit means that the Saturday’s Premiership play-offs will see Exeter Chiefs entertain Bath and Bristol Bears travel to Wasps.