The Blue and Blacks were due to travel to France today to fulfil the Round Four fixture, however a “significant” number of positive cases were found within the Toulouse squad, with a risk of further infections.
As a result Cardiff have been awarded a 28-0 victory which gives them five match points, and pushes the Welsh side up to eighth in the Pool B table. Cardiff are now awaiting the results from other fixtures this weekend with regards qualification for the last 16 of the competition.
An EPCR statement read:
“Following a meeting of an independent Match Risk Assessment Committee, EPCR has been advised that the Heineken Champions Cup, Round 4 fixture between Stade Toulousain and Cardiff Rugby scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday, 22 January) at Stade Ernest Wallon cannot go ahead.
Discussions with Stade Toulousain and the Ligue Nationale de Rugby took place before the Match Risk Assessment Committee, made up of medical doctors from EPCR’s Medical Advisory Group as well as independent medical specialists, advised EPCR of its concerns as Stade Toulousain had recorded a significant number of positive Covid-19 test results from within its tournament squad, and with the risk of further infection deemed to be too great, regrettably the decision was made to cancel the fixture.
Cardiff Rugby have therefore been awarded the match in Pool A on a 28-0, five match points basis, in accordance with the Tournament Rules.
EPCR would like to acknowledge the efforts by both clubs to fulfil the fixture, and would also like to emphasise that awarding the match to Cardiff Rugby is a tournament management measure with the objective of ensuring that all fixtures in the 2021/22 Heineken Champions Cup are accounted for, and not a sanction.”
