Saracens lost 27-26 to Ealing in their first game of the Trailfinders Challenge Cup last weekend; Doncaster Knights took four points and Saracens two as Mark McCall’s men lost Saturday’s game at Castle Park
Last updated: 22/01/21 8:55 am
The Saracens ’game against Doncaster Knights in the Trailfinders Challenge Cup has been postponed after Mark McCall’s side claimed they were without 34 players.
After their weekly Covid-19 PCR test program, Saracens reported that two Academy players had returned positive results, with another 16 members of the squad separated due to a contact discovery.
Saracens said they are thus without 34 players for the game at Castle Park on Saturday through a combination of loneliness, injury and obstruction, after which they cannot play side.
“The club did everything it could in its efforts to name 23, but two more players were called in today to separate them, which was not possible,” the club said. the statement Thursday.
“Those players and staff who have tested positive, or who are found to be contacts for those who test positive, will be separated for at least 10 days by the well-being of the club staff. , players and their families are paramount. “
As a result of their cancellation, Doncaster will get four points while Saracens will get two.
It is bad news for the major Premier League and European players, who lost 27-26 to Ealing in their first match of a tournament that raises objections to the Saracens’ question of a return to the Premier League. immediately.
Apologize Randox for a test error
Randox Health has apologized for an error in its Covid-19 test program for Rugby Premiership, which led to an incorrect number of advanced tests reported Tuesday.
Bath closed their training ground earlier in the week after the club returned a number of positive trials.
But Randox now says the 12 Premier League clubs only had two breakthroughs from 989 players and management this week.
Bath was told earlier in the week that there were 19 positive things, when in fact there was only one.
The club’s statement read on Thursday: “On Tuesday 19 January after the regular round of PCR testing, the club was informed that 19 of the 24 positive results across the league included Rugby players and staff. Bath.
“Immediately, our training ground at Farleigh House was closed and all players and staff were instructed to dismantle the homes.
Bath is currently ninth in the Premier League under Rugby Director Stuart Hooper
“A rigorous communication discovery process was undertaken, from which a further 16 players were identified as close contacts.
“Everyone who returned a positive test result, and the close connection, was asked to be alone for 10 days according to PHE guidelines.
“Our training ground was quickly cleaned up. All rugby and training activities were suspended and a test was ordered for all players and staff as a priority.
“Our urgent priority was to stop the spread of the virus and to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff, players, their families and the wider community.
“Yesterday evening the club was informed that an error had occurred in the Randox laboratory and, following a routine retest, 18 of the 19 initial positive results were negative.
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“The club has been in regular and close contact with senior representatives from Public Health England during this time and in particular over the last 24 hours, as we have been working to understand information regarding the Randox test error.
“We are now, with advice from Public Health England, confident that this was a gross error and that the revised test results are correct.
“However, as a further monitoring step with the Randox testing program, an independent Public Health test will also be carried out for Bath Bath players and staff over the next 24 hours.”
A Randox spokesperson said: “A routine risk analysis revealed that, in a remote incident, operators failed to follow Randox’s established and robust procedures for the COVID 19 test.
“Randox apologizes for any inconvenience caused. We confirm that there are two positive tests from 989 players and management in the PRL.
“Randox has introduced innovative robotic systems to ensure that this type of human error cannot be recycled.”
Phil Winstanley, Director of Rugby at Premiership Rugby, said: “This issue has created a stir at our clubs, and in particular at Bath Rugby which has split a number of players and temporarily closed their training ground. after receiving their results early Tuesday morning.
“The health and safety of everyone involved in Rugby Premier League is a priority for us so this issue will be closely scrutinized. “