Premiership Rugby statement on cancelled Gloucester-Worcester game

Premiership Rugby officials have issued an update regarding the adjudication of the cancelled March 25 Gallagher Premiership match between Gloucester and Worcester at Kingsholm. The fixture was called off just five hours before the scheduled 7:45pm kick-off and it hit the host club hard in the pocket as they had to refund the anticipated 10,000-plus attendance. 

The allocation of points was also viewed as critical. Across last season and this season, four and two points have been doled out to two teams involved in a cancelled fixture, but Gloucester were left disappointed by last month’s cancellation as they were unable to play to try and win with a four-try bonus point that would have netted them five match points.

They are currently in the hunt for the end-of-season playoffs, running in seventh spot just seven points behind the fourth-placed Exeter, so the points allocation from the cancelled match will be critical to their chances of reaching the semi-finals. 

Mike Brown | Rugby Roots

Mike Brown | Rugby Roots

Wednesday’s latest Premiership statement read: “Premiership Rugby can confirm that the independent panel selected to adjudicate on the cancelled Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Gloucester and Worcester Warriors will meet on Tuesday, April 19.

“Premiership Rugby have asked Sport Resolutions UK to form the panel and it will be chaired by Gary Hickinbottom, who will be joined by two others to be confirmed in the next few days.

“Worcester were unable to field the required six front row players for the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match due to be played against Gloucester on Friday, March 25, resulting in the cancellation of the fixture. The circumstances under which the match was cancelled and the allocation of points will be determined by the independent panel. The match will not be replayed.

“Premiership Rugby will publish the full judgement when completed by Gary Hickinbottom.

A Premiership Rugby spokesperson added: “In accordance with the Premiership regulations we have investigated this matter and we can confirm that a panel chaired by Gary Hickinbottom, a former Court of Appeal judge, has been appointed by Sport Resolutions UK. The three-person panel will sit on Tuesday, April 19, with Wednesday being set aside as a reserve date should this be required.

“Following the conclusion of the panel hearing, we will publish the decision, and the full reasons, as soon as they are available.”