PRO14 Rainbow Cup: Benetton in final because Ospreys game canceled due to coronavirus outbreak in Welsh club | Rugby news

The cancellation means Benetton will now play the South African League winners in the final on June 19; The Bulls are favorites to advance to the top of their league, but this weekend they play the Sharks, who could skip them with a big win in Durban

Ospreys ’Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup against Benetton has been canceled due to a coronavirus outbreak in the Welsh club’s team.

The cancellation means Benetton will now play the South African League winners in the June 19 final.

The Ospreys have returned three positive Covid-19 results and all members of their team and coaching staff are now in isolation.

PRO14 Rugby said in a statement: “As a result of the cancellation, Benetton Ragby qualified for the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup final on 19 June.

“Ospreys Rugby are working closely with Wales Public Health after the last round of Covid-19 testing at the club, which yielded three positive results.

“The decision to cancel the game is the result of the Public Health Wales mandate that all individuals who were part of the previous traveling party must now isolate themselves in accordance with public health protocols.

“Since there are no free weekends left, the game will not be scheduled.

“As a result, PRO14 rugby will use the protocol decided before the 2020/21 season, with a match that could not be blocked resulting in the match being considered a 0-0 draw, but four match points will be awarded to the team that was not the cause of the delay. .

“In this case, Benetton will get four match points. This protocol ensures that no artificial points are added to the attempts / points for and against the columns.

“Adding four points to the current Benetton 18 will provide the Italian team with a final position of 22 points. It is mathematically impossible for any other team in the table to win more than 20 points.”

Benetton, the only undefeated side in the tournament with four wins, will enter the top of the European League with 22 points.

The Bulls are at the top of the South African league and need two points from a game against the Sharks on Saturday to reserve a spot in the final.