Yahoo News Sale Sharks Premier 15s clash against Gloucester-Hartpury off due to coronavirus
Sale Sharks’ match against Gloucester-Hartpury in the Premier 15s, England’s top-flight women’s rugby competition, has been postponed after seven Sale players tested positive for Covid-19.
It is the second game in the new Premier 15s season to fall victim to the virus, after Wasps’ opening weekend match with Bristol Bears was postponed earlier this month.
That announcement came just two days after the Rugby Football Union pressed ahead with its decision to start the women’s elite amateur league on October 10.
Law variations, which include a reduced number of scrums, have also been introduced in the elite women's game to minimise viral transmission. They will be in place for the first nine rounds of the season and will be reviewed when the league is due to stop for the Christmas break. The RFU confirmed in a statement that the seven women’s players who tested positive had become infected within the community and not at the club’s training base in Carrington, which they share with the men. A further 12 Sale women’s players are self-isolating.
Nicky Ponsford, the RFU’s head of women’s performance, said: “A number of Sale’s players work away from the club within the north west and after several positive test results along with other players isolating, the club do not feel confident they can field a side this weekend. “Sale have been very diligent in their approach and communicated with us throughout. We would like to thank both clubs for their cooperation and support in this matter.”
A date for Sale's rearranged fixture is yet to be announced, although the RFU has factored in nine ‘reserve weekends’ to allow for postponed matches.
Sale Sharks men had to forfeit their game with Worcester earlier this month following a mass Covid outbreak among their squad prompted the
