• Rugby Union

  • Six Nations

England News

News

  • News
  • Teams
  • Fixtures
  • Results
  • Tables
  • Pundits
  • On Sky TV
  • Score Centre
  • Sky Bet
  • Get Sky Sports
More from Rugby Union
  • Rugby Union Home
  • Six Nations

England vs Barbarians cancelled due to Covid breach

Rugby Football Union launched investigation after group of around 12 players - known to include Chris Robshaw - left team hotel in central London on Wednesday; Former England captain Robshaw 'sincerely remorseful' for breaching rules

Last Updated: 23/10/20 7:33pm

1:12
Will Greenwood thinks England could suffer against Italy in the Six Nations next week after their warm-up match against the Barbarians was cancelled
Will Greenwood thinks England could suffer against Italy in the Six Nations next week after their warm-up match against the Barbarians was cancelled

England's game against the Barbarians on Sunday has been cancelled after a group of around 12 Baa-Baas players breached Covid protocols, leaving them unable to field a team.

The Rugby Football Union has launched an investigation after the group - known to include Chris Robshaw - left the team hotel in central London on Wednesday night to have dinner.

  • Premiership final: Exeter vs Wasps talking points
  • Russell on the bench for Scotland vs Georgia

It is understood the RFU will consider summoning anyone at fault before an independent disciplinary panel under the catch-all charge of bringing the game into disrepute.

A deadline of 3pm on Friday had been set for the Barbarians to scramble together a matchday squad, and in their desperation, the invitational club recruited two players from the second tier of Welsh rugby.

But after learning there was an additional breach of protocol on top of the incident already known, the RFU said it had no choice but to cancel the match, which was due to be played at Twickenham.

The Barbarians game was due to act 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 has today cancelled the Quilter Cup England v Barbarians fixture scheduled for Sunday 25 October.

"As part of its ongoing investigation into a breach of the Covid code of conduct that took place on 21 October, the RFU has today discovered there was an earlier undisclosed breach that took place on 20 October when a number of Barbarians players left the hotel bubble without permission and without informing organisers about their whereabouts.

"The RFU has concluded that the players leaving their Covid-secure environment on 20 October without then isolating from the rest of the group on their return has resulted in the bubble environment being compromised, with the potential risk of Covid transmission from individuals outside the bubble to everyone in the Barbarians team and management.

"The RFU is therefore left with no alternative but to cancel the game.

Bill Sweeney, RFU CEO, said: "We are incredibly disappointed to be calling a halt to this fixture, we know how much fans were looking forward to seeing the teams play. However, our priority is to protect the health and safety of the England squad and the other international teams they will go up against this Autumn.

"There has been a great deal of effort put into Covid codes of conduct and planning for games, including cooperation with Premiership clubs to release additional players to fulfil the fixture safely, and we are all incredibly frustrated and disappointed that the actions of a number of Barbarians players mean we no longer feel it is safe for the game to go ahead.

"The RFU investigation is ongoing and no details on individuals or numbers of players involved will be confirmed until the investigation is concluded."

Former England captain Chris Robshaw has apologised for breaking the coronavirus protocols
Former England captain Chris Robshaw has apologised for breaking the coronavirus protocols

Robshaw 'sincerely remorseful' for breaching rules

Former England captain Robshaw, who was part of the Barbarians squad, released a public apology on Friday - confirming he was among the group of players that breached the coronavirus protocols.

"I want to express my deepest apologies for breaching the Barbarians COVID-19 restrictions by leaving the hotel post training with some of my teammates," Robshaw said, in a statement on Twitter.

"A huge effort went into conducting this match in a safe fashion and it was irresponsible of me to break the protocols which are put in place to protect players, staff and the public.

"I understand that my actions have ultimately contributed to the cancellation of Sunday's match and I am sincerely remorseful for my role in undoing all the amazing work that went into trying to make it happen.

Embarrassed and beyond gutted to have let Vern Cotter and everyone @Barbarian_FC down as well as the RFU. Should not have happened and for that I am truly sorry. I’ve let a lot of people down including myself and wish I’d done it differently. Sorry again.

— Richard Wigglesworth (@rwiggy9) October 23, 2020

I want to say a massive sorry to everyone at @Barbarian_FC , @EnglandRugby and the whole rugby world for my actions. pic.twitter.com/wdmeYYFHqY

— Jackson Wray (@JacksonWray) October 23, 2020

"I promise that I will learn from this mistake and ensure something like this never happens again."

Also See:

  • Premiership final: Exeter vs Wasps talking points
  • Mitchell: Ford back for England 'pretty soon'
  • Baxter fears for rugby's future after coronavirus
  • James Peters: England's first black rugby player

Former England scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth issued his own apology on Twitter shortly after Robshaw, which read: "Embarrassed and beyond gutted to have let Vern Cotter and everyone @Barbarian_FC down as well as the RFU.

"Should not have happened and for that I am truly sorry. I've let a lot of people down including myself and wish I'd done it differently. Sorry again."

Trending

  • 1
    Tuanzebe racially abused after Sheffield United defeat
  • 2
    Ole: Ref made two mistakes | Wilder: We showed our identity
  • 3
    Hits & Misses: Man Utd's reality check; Tuchel sees his task
  • 4
    Jose: I control my behaviour - unlike others
  • 5
    What did Tuchel change for Chelsea?
  • 6
    Tuchel: Chelsea have tools for future titles
  • 7
    The harsh truth about sharing a ring with Canelo
  • 8
    Tottenham vs Liverpool preview - Henderson in contention
  • 9
    Aubameyang reveals reason for absence and thanks fans
  • 10
    PL predictions: Goals to flow for Liverpool
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • NFL
    • Olympics
    • Tennis
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NBA
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • MMA
    • More Sports
  • Scores
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Competitions
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Kick It Out
    • Black Lives Matter
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports NFL
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Group
    • Sky For Businesses
    • NOW TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Work for Sky
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

©2021 Sky UK