PREMIERSHIP Rugby have cancelled Saturday afternoon's league fixture between Warriors and Newcastle Falcons after the latest round of PCR testing produced a number of positive Covid cases in the Newcastle squad.

Falcons' game with Northampton Saints last weekend was also called off after an initial outbreak in the camp and after Monday's testing, more positive cases came up.

It will be the second time this year that a Worcester game has been cancelled due to the pandemic, after the New year's Day clash with Harlequins at Sixways was also scrapped.

A Premiership Rugby panel will now be convened to determine the allocation of points but it will eventually see Worcester get four points, pushing them up to 15 for the season and one point behind 10th placed Bath.

A Premiership Rugby spokesperson said: "The health and safety of players, management, staff and match officials is our priority, and we wish those who have tested positive at the Falcons a safe and speedy recovery.

"Newcastle Falcons had a small number of positive tests last week and this has been followed by more this week, and the closure of their training ground so the match at Sixways Stadium – scheduled for this Saturday – cannot go ahead.

"Neither Premiership Rugby nor the club will be naming any of the players or staff involved and we'd ask everyone to respect their privacy.

“We expect the other five matches in Round 10 of Gallagher Premiership Rugby to go ahead.”