Sale's crucial Gallagher Premiership clash with Worcester remains in doubt after the Warriors questioned Sale's insistence it will go ahead despite 16 of their players testing positive for coronavirus.
The decisive final round of regular-season fixtures has been thrown into chaos by the spread of Covid-19 through the Manchester club, with a small number of backroom staff also returning positive tests, the PA news agency understands.
Sale issued a statement saying Sunday's game would go ahead but Worcester responded to say the fixture is still being discussed by public health officials and Premiership Rugby.
Club Statement | Sale Sharks fixture 👉 https://t.co/UXXUrH8aev pic.twitter.com/poKlj46Pk9 — Worcester Warriors (@WorcsWarriors) October 2, 2020
Worcester's statement read: "Warriors' final Gallagher Premiership match of the season against Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell on Sunday is still the subject of discussions between Premiership Rugby and public health officials.
"A significant number of Sale players and staff tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday and have been retested as part of a rigorous process that applies to all clubs and which has been in place since before the 2019-20 season resumed in August.
"The sole criterion for deciding whether a match can take place in the current unprecedented and worrying circumstances is the safety of officials and players and staff of both clubs and (minimising) the risk of anyone contracting and spreading this killer disease.
"Warriors would always prefer the outcome of a match to be decided on the pitch and will do so provided we are satisfied that all the Covid-19 protocols and procedures have been followed and no health risk is posed to our players and staff.
CLUB STATEMENT | Sale Sharks can confirm that their Gallagher Premiership Round 22 match with @WorcsWarriors will go ahead as planned on Sunday 4th October. Read more here 👉🏽 https://t.co/x8G5rgwJKT — Sale Sharks🦈 (@SaleSharksRugby) October 2, 2020
"At the moment we are still awaiting confirmation that those protocols and procedures can be met to allow Sunday's match to proceed as scheduled."
Premiership Rugby (PRL) has been contacted for comment by the PA news agency.
Sale said they will name their starting XV at lunchtime on Saturday, while the fallout could affect Northampton's trip to Gloucester, with Saints having played Sale at Franklin's Gardens on Tuesday evening and already contending with an injury crisis at loosehead prop.
The unavailability of 16 Sale players decimates the Premiership's smallest squad of just 32 senior professionals and hinders their ability to field a matchday 23 without summoning reinforcements from their academy or making emergency signings.
In addition, Manu Tuilagi, Cobus Wiese and Lood De Jager have been struck down by long-term injuries and are unavailable for a game Sale must win if they are to secure a semi-final place.
Sale's statement said: "Although Sale Sharks have been subject to a number of positive Covid-19 tests this week, after a thorough consultation, the club, its healthcare professionals and rugby management are confident the fixture can be fulfilled safely in accordance with all Covid-19 guidelines.
"As directed by Premiership Rugby earlier today, the Sharks matchday 23 to face Worcester Warriors will be announced at 12pm on Saturday, October 3.
"Sale Sharks will make no further comment at this time."
🚨 #GallagherPrem Round 2️⃣2️⃣ fixtures 🚨 Super Sunday is fast approaching and we CANNOT wait 😎 Catch all the drama LIVE on @btsport as the fascinating fight for the semi-final spots comes to a dramatic conclusion 💥 pic.twitter.com/KjEY4TjYTr — Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) October 1, 2020
If a club is unable to field a competitive team because of coronavirus, they automatically forfeit the game and a 20-0 defeat is awarded against them.
In that scenario, Sale would almost certainly endure an agonising end to an otherwise fine season by being replaced in the top four by Bristol, who are expected to sweep aside London Irish.
Most tests were carried out on Thursday, with clubs informed of the results on Friday morning. PRL does not release results until 48 hours after the tests were taken, meaning official confirmation will not be given before Saturday.
The team announcements that were due to take place at midday on Friday have been delayed by 24 hours.
TEAM NEWS | @premrugby delay team announcements ahead of Round 22 until 12:00pm Saturday.#SharkTime | @UKFast pic.twitter.com/a1ciW5sQKQ — Sale Sharks🦈 (@SaleSharksRugby) October 2, 2020
Saracens anxiously awaited the return of their results on Friday morning after Racing 92 revealed they had nine positive tests after winning the rivals' Champions Cup semi-final in Paris last Saturday.
Northampton's issues centre around the front row, where their crisis at loosehead prop might render them unable to play Gloucester were their remaining options in the position to be forced into quarantine.
