French trio handed 28-0 victories after cancelled games

Colin Newboult

A general view of the Heineken Champions Cup ahead of the match at Kingsholm, Gloucester.

French teams La Rochelle, Lyon and Toulouse will go into the third round of the Champions Cup with two wins from two after being handed 28-0 victories.

Exeter Chiefs’ match with Les Rouge et Noir was called off on Wednesday due to an outbreak at the club.

That also affected Glasgow Warriors, who were forced to self-isolate after facing the Chiefs in the European competition last weekend.

It was a similar scenario for Bath with the West Country club unable to face La Rochelle having come into contact with a Scarlets player that later tested positive.

EPCR statement

A statement from the EPCR said: “In respect of the Glasgow Warriors v Lyon Pool B fixture which had been scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday, 19 December) at Scotstoun, it was decided that as Glasgow Warriors were unable to safely field a matchday squad due to the unavailability of a significant number of isolating players, Lyon were deemed to be the winners, and were awarded five match points on a scoreline of 28-0.

“In respect of the La Rochelle v Bath Rugby match in Pool A which had also been scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday, 19 December) at Stade Marcel Deflandre, it was decided that as Bath were unable to safely field a matchday squad due to the unavailability of a significant number of isolating players, in addition to reported injuries to other squad members, La Rochelle were deemed to be the winners, and were awarded five match points on a scoreline of 28-0.

“In respect of the Toulouse v Exeter Chiefs fixture in Pool B which had been scheduled for Sunday (20 December) at Stade Ernest Wallon, it was decided that as Exeter Chiefs had recorded a number of positive tests for COVID-19 among players and staff and were therefore unable to travel to France to fulfil the fixture on public health advice, Toulouse were deemed to be the winners, and were awarded five match points on a scoreline of 28-0.”