Premiership Rugby Fiasco

Premiership Rugby has hardly covered itself in glory in recent days.

I know things are difficult and that the circumstances are unique, but to apply different rules to different clubs – as appears to be the case – is just baffling.

To recap, last week 16 Sale Sharks players tested positive for Covid-19, leading to Premiership Rugby deciding to postpone Sunday’s scheduled fixture between Sale and Worcester.

Meanwhile Northampton, who had the misfortune of playing against Sale last Tuesday, which meant that the players involved were made to self-isolate, had their fixture against Gloucester cancelled and a 20-0 result awarded against them.

So Saints, who were affected through no fault of their own, were effectively punished while Sale, the club with NINETEEN (if we include staff members) positive tests are currently not only being allowed to play their final game against Worcester but now know exactly what result is required to make into the top four and qualify for the Premiership semi finals.

Barking, just barking.

There is still, of course, the chance that the game vs Worcester, scheduled for Wednesday this week, will not go ahead. Public Health England will need to be convinced that the fixture can be staged safely, while there is also an investigation taking place into the source of the outbreak, including into reports that a number of Sharks players had gone out partying following their Premiership Rugby Cup victory over Harlequins on 21st September. 

Whether that is true or not, clearly something has gone badly wrong at Sale for so many positive tests to have been returned. 

It seems very odd, therefore, that they be allowed to benefit from a situation which, in all probability, they have caused whilst another club – who had nothing to do with the outbreak – are punished.

Hardly Premiership Rugby’s finest hour.