Rory Best: Ulster general manager insists player safety is priority in calling off match

Ulster general manager Rory Best said it was “unfortunate” that Sunday’s European Challenge Cup tie in the Netherlands had been cancelled, but insisted that “player health and safety” was the only reason it was called off.

The teams were initially scheduled to play in Amsterdam, but with weather forecasts forecasting temperatures to drop below zero, European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) decided on Friday to move the match to Duke Rugby Club in the southernmost city of S-Hertogembos, where it will be played behind closed doors.

With teams on the field ahead of kick-off at 1:00 GMT, EPCR said the pitch was “deemed by the referee to be unworkable and to pose a risk to the safety of the players” due to continuing freezing conditions.

On Sunday evening, EPCR confirmed that the match would not be rescheduled and Ulster were awarded a 28-0 win and maximum points due to competition rules which stipulate that the home club is responsible for the match going ahead.

There were suggestions the match could be rescheduled for Monday but “given it being a Sunday match, logistically it would never be easy to reschedule the match at another venue or on another date,” according to Best.

“On the morning of the game, the team traveled out with their minds set, they were focused and ready to play the game,” Best told Ulster Rugby TV.

“When the match officials arrived, and through communications with the team manager and team doctor, the decision was made that we could not play.

“As much as we want to play a game, you have to take the health and safety of the player into this. When the field is not playable, it is unfortunate but the game cannot go ahead.

“The Duke Rugby Club team did everything they could to get the game going, and we were there ready to play alongside the Panthers, but in cooperation with our team and their team, the referee made what we feel was the right decision to call it off.”