Glasgow Warriors could be handed a 28-0 defeat after Lyon game is cancelled

Glasgow Warriors could be handed a 28-0 defeat after their Heineken Champions Cup match with Lyon was cancelled through no fault of their own.
Glasgow Warriors lost to Exeter Chiefs in the Heineken Champions Cup on Sunday. Picture: David Rogers/Getty ImagesGlasgow Warriors lost to Exeter Chiefs in the Heineken Champions Cup on Sunday. Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images
Glasgow Warriors lost to Exeter Chiefs in the Heineken Champions Cup on Sunday. Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images

The sides were due to meet at Scotstoun on Saturday but the game has been called off because 20 Glasgow players are self-isolating after several Exeter Chiefs players and staff tested positive for Covid-19. The Warriors played Exeter on Sunday.

The Chiefs’ match against Toulouse this weekend has also been cancelled.

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With no space in the calendar to reschedule the fixtures, tournament organisers European Professional Club Rugby will convene a match resolution panel to decide the result of the games once all four clubs have submitted their testing results.

Glasgow and Exeter are now sweating on the panel’s decision which is likely to be known by the weekend.

The Warriors lost 42-0 at Sandy Park on Sunday and if they were to be handed another defeat it would almost certainly scupper their hopes of reaching the Champions Cup quarter-finals. A defeat would also hamper Exeter, who won the tournament last season.

Glasgow have been robust in their Covid testing and would be entitled to nurse a grievance if EPCR award the match to Lyon.

A statement issued by Glasgow read: “A total of 20 Glasgow Warriors players from the match-day 23 in Exeter last Sunday are now self-isolating after several Exeter Chiefs players and staff tested positive for Covid-19.

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“On discovery Glasgow Warriors immediately consulted Public Health Scotland to determine this outcome and has the support of Scottish Rugby’s Threat Management Group.

“With a significant number of players self-isolating and an extensive injury list, the decision has been taken that it is not safe to play on Saturday. Exeter’s round two game against Toulouse is also cancelled. EPCR will convene Match Result Resolution Committees to determine the results of the cancelled matches and the decisions of the committees will be communicated as soon as practicable.

“Glasgow Warriors will now turn its attention to mitigating any further risks to its squad to protect the upcoming 1872 Cup fixtures against Edinburgh in the Guinness Pro14.

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“The club has reviewed the stringent Covid-19 protocols that it has put in place for its squad and commends its players and staff who have been exemplary in following these during this period.”

Exeter have declined to reveal the number of positive tests they have returned but the results of the week’s testing programme overseen by Premiership Rugby revealed 18 confirmed cases across two clubs, a total made up of 16 players and two members of staff.

It’s another setback for Glasgow in what has been a testing season for the club. They have struggled in the Pro14 without their large Scotland contingent during the extended international window and a pile-up of injuries. Their European campaign got off to a dreadful start with the heavy defeat in Devon and it then emerged that stand-off Adam Hastings had turned down the offer of a new contract and will be leaving the club at the end of the season to join Gloucester.

Next up for Glasgow is the festive double header with Edinburgh which is scheduled for December 27 at Scotstoun and January 2 at BT Murrayfield.

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