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Rugby Football Union launched an investigation after a group of around 12 players, known to include Chris Robshaw, left the team’s hotel in central London on Wednesday; Former England captain Robshaw was supposed to make an appearance before moving to San Diego
Last Updated: 10/23/20 2:54 pm
England’s game against the Barbarians at Twickenham has been canceled
England’s game against the Barbarians on Sunday was canceled after a group of around 12 Baa-Baas players violated Covid protocols, leaving them unable to line up a team.
The Rugby Football Union launched an investigation after the group, known to include Chris Robshaw, left the team’s hotel in central London on Wednesday night for dinner.
It is understood that the RFU has already begun investigating the infringement in order to summon any culprits before an independent disciplinary panel under the overall charge of discrediting gambling.
A Friday deadline had been set at 3pm for the barbarians to assemble a team for the day and, in desperation, the club by invitation recruited two players from the second division of Welsh rugby.
However, they were unable to assemble a team of 23 players, forcing the game to be canceled at Twickenham.
The Barbarians’ game was to serve as a warm-up for England ahead of next weekend’s critical Six Nations clash with Italy.
In a statement, the RFU said: “The RFU today canceled the England v Barbarians Quilter Cup match scheduled for Sunday 25 October.”
“As part of its ongoing investigation into a violation of the Covid code of conduct that took place on October 21, the RFU has discovered today that there was a previous undisclosed violation that took place on October 20 when several Barbarians players left. the hotel bubble without permission and without informing the organizers of his whereabouts.
“The RFU has concluded that players who left their safe environment from Covid on October 20 without later isolating themselves from the rest of the group upon their return, have caused the bubble environment to be compromised, with potential risk transmission of Covid from people outside the bubble to everyone in the Barbarians team and leadership.
“Therefore, the RFU has no alternative but to cancel the game.
Bill Sweeney, CEO of RFU said: “We are incredibly disappointed to have to stop this match, we know how much the fans expected to see the teams play. However, our priority is to protect the health and safety of the England team and others. international teams they will face this fall.
“A lot of effort has gone into Covid codes of conduct and game planning, including cooperating with Premiership clubs to free up additional players to safely meet the match, and we are all incredibly frustrated and disappointed. that the actions of various Barbarians players mean that we no longer feel it is safe for the game to go ahead.
“The RFU investigation is ongoing and details on the people or number of players involved will not be confirmed until the investigation is complete.”
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