<
>

Premiership Rugby Cup Final postponed after staff member develops coronavirus symptoms

The 2019 Premiership Rugby Cup final has been called off after a staff member showed symptoms of coronavirus. Photo by Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images

The Premiership Rugby Cup final between Sale Sharks and Harlequins has been postponed after a staff member showed symptoms of coronavirus, it was announced on Friday.

The match was due to take place on Sunday at AJ Bell Stadium but it becomes the latest sporting event to be cancelled due to the outbreak.

A Premiership Rugby statement read: "Unfortunately, Sunday's Premiership Rugby Cup Final has been postponed following an individual on staff developing symptoms consistent with Coronavirus (Covid-19). The individual is now safely in isolation.

"We're incredibly sorry to all the people who will be disappointed, however the welfare of fans, players and staff remains our first concern, and so we must postpone the game for now."

- Coronavirus: Cancellations and reactions in sports

The sport has been hugely affected by the coronavirus after the Six Nations clash between Wales and Scotland was also called off on Friday.

All other Six Nations matches planned for this weekend have been called off due to the outbreak.

Scottish Rugby also announced on Friday that it was suspending all domestic rugby activity. The organisation said it would continue to assess the situation before taking any further steps.

The French Rugby Federation has suspended all of its competitions to prevent the spread while the Irish Rugby Football Union on Thursday suspended all domestic rugby activity until March 29.