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Dragons hit with fine and forfeit

Image: Rodney Parade: Was deemed unplayable

Newport have received a £10,000 suspended fine and forfeited their LV Cup home game with Saracens.

Welsh side punished for unplayable pitch

Newport Gwent Dragons have received a £10,000 suspended fine and forfeited their LV Cup home game with Saracens. The punishment, announced by tournament organisers following consultation by the competition's organising committee, relates to the postponement against the English champions at Rodney Parade on February 3. The committee ruled the Dragons were in breach of regulation 6.7 in that the pitch was unplayable, and no suitable alternative arrangements were in place. It was also decided that Sarries would be awarded the fixture by a 20-0 scoreline. The suspended fine will be in place until next season's LV Cup pool phase is completed. "The LV organising committee accepted that there was no intention to gain any advantage by the pitch being unplayable and that preventative measures were put in place," said cup organisers in a statement. "However, the LV Cup regulations are clear in that it is the home team's responsibility to ensure they can stage the fixture, as outlined in regulation 6.7."