Premiership Rugby release statement regarding Boxing Day fixtures
Rugby NewsFriday, 24 December 2021 at 18:57
The Boxing Day programme in the Gallagher Premiership is set to go ahead as scheduled despite nine clubs reporting a total of 34 positive Covid-19 results in the latest set of lateral flow and PCR tests.
A Premiership Rugby statement read: "In consultation with the Professional Game Board, this week we undertook more than 4,600 COVID-19 tests across our Gallagher Premiership Rugby clubs.
"We would like to thank the medical staff, management and players at all our clubs for their support and co-operation with our comprehensive testing programme, not just this week but across the last 12 months.
"From Friday, 17 December to Thursday 24 December inclusive there were 4,626 lateral flow and PCR tests taken by our players and management as part of the COVID-19 screening programme.
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"Of those who were tested 28 players and six members of staff - from nine different clubs - tested positive.
"Our clubs will continue to test on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day ahead of the matches on Boxing Day and 27 December, but as it stands all six matches in Gallagher Premiership Rugby Round 11 go ahead as scheduled.
"Those who do test positive and their close contacts are isolated and assessed in line with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) agreed guidelines."
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BACK-THREE:
- 15 Jordie Barrett
(New Zealand and Hurricanes)
- 14 Will Jordan (New Zealand and Crusaders)
- 11 Makazole Mapimpi (South Africa and Sharks)
Tom Curry of England on the break into Makazole Mapimpi of South Africa during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
CENTRES:
- 13 Lukhanyo Am (South Africa and Sharks)
- 12 Samu Kerevi (Australia and Suntory Sungoliath)
HALFBACKS:
- 10 Matthieu Jalibert (France and Bordeaux-Begles)
- 9 Antoine Dupont (France and Toulouse)
FRONT-ROW:
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- 2 Julian Montoya (Argentina and Leicester Tigers)
- 3 Taniela Tupou (Australia and Reds)
SECOND-ROW:
- 4 Eben Etzebeth (South Africa and Toulon)
- 5 Lood de Jager (South Africa and Sale Sharks)
Eben Etzebeth of South Africa during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
BACK-ROW:
- 6 Courtney Lawes (England, Lions and Northampton Saints)
- 7 Siya Kolisi (South Africa and Sharks)
- 8 Ardie Savea (New Zealand and Hurricanes)
Courtney Lawes, Captain of England celebrates after winning during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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