Bath Rugby Club have been forced to shut down their training ground at Farleigh House following a number positive COVID-19 cases just 10 days out from their derby game with Bristol Bears.
The number of cases is undisclosed, and both Bath players and staff have returned positive results following the weekly PCR COVID-19 testing programme run by Premiership Rugby.
All players and staff have been instructed to isolate at their homes and a rigorous contact tracing process is now underway in order to stop the spread of the virus.
In a club statement that has been released, Bath’s director of rugby Stuart Hooper said, “This is an anxious time for us all and the mental as well as physical health of our people and their families is our priority.
“Our planned training sessions have been cancelled and those able to train from home will now do so. My team and I are focused on doing all we can to be ready to play our up-and-coming fixtures, but I must reinforce that I will not allow the health of our people to be compromised.”
It is to our understanding that a decision will be made regarding their Gallagher Premiership fixture against Bristol Bears which is due to be played in 10 days time on Friday the 29th will be made by next week.
With the Six Nations due to start in 3 weeks time, some have questioned World Rugby’s integrity, with the women’s tournament being postponed until April for player safety and concerns about the virus, yet with Wasps and Sale Sharks having numerous cases at one time last season, there’s clear to see that there’s a difference in priorities when it comes to the men’s game.
To make sure the Six Nations tournament rolls out smoothly, you either postpone it like the Women’s tournament or you suspend the Gallagher Premiership for two weeks just like the Allianz Premier 15s.
In a world where equality is being demanded, Rugby’s governing bodies are allowing the Men’s game to continue despite suspending the Women’s game, we either all play through these outbreaks, or no one plays.
