Newcastle game called off

Newcastle's Guinness Premiership game against Wasps at Kingston Park has been postponed due to high winds.

Newcastle's Guinness Premiership game with Wasps tonight has been postponed due to high winds.

The match was being billed as a showdown between England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson and his heir apparent, young Wasps prospect Danny Cipriani.

But the clash must wait due to after inclement weather in north-east of England.

Referee Tony Spreadbury made the decision on the grounds of “safety reasons” at 18.30 local time – just over one hour before the scheduled kick-off time.

“I arrived at the ground and met with the safety officer, David Culling, straightaway,” said Spreadbury.

“Half of one of the goalposts had snapped because of the high winds, so there was obviously a safety issue there, and with structural concerns also over the stand there was only one decision we could reach.

“It's obviously disappointing for the fans, but we made the decision as early as possible to prevent calling it off when the ground was full, and both sets of players and coaches understood the reasons why.

“The safety of the players and the fans is obviously of the utmost importance.”

Falcons coach John Fletcher said: “The people I feel most disappointed for are the fans.

“We had a sell-out crowd, two strong teams and a massive interest in the game, but when it comes down to an issue of safety you can't really argue with the decision.

“Both sets of players and coaches were happy to play, but neither myself nor Ian McGeechan at Wasps have any issue with the decision because obviously the referee and the safety officer believe there was the potential for danger.

“The safety of fans and players is absolutely paramount, and while the postponement isn't ideal for either club, it's just one of those things that happens in sport and you have to get on with it.”

No new date for the game has been announced; this will be done in due course.