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Premiership Rugby statement on cancelled Gloucester-Worcester game

(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

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. 

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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. 

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Mike Brown | Rugby Roots

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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.

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“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.

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

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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