Chiefs' Premiership opponents in doubt

Covid outbreak at Wasps

Exeter Chiefs's move towards completing a European and domestic double could take an interesting twist, after planned opponents Wasps stopped training because of a further outbreak of covid-19.

The Midlands team announced four players and three staff members had coronavirus last week. 

The latest outbreak puts the line up of Saturday's Premiership final game at Twickenham in doubt. A statement from Wasps says: "After consultation with the medical leads at Premiership Rugby, the RFU and Public Health England, the club will continue not to train at this stage."

A decision on who will play in the final will be made on Wednesday after a further round of tests scheduled for Tuesday.

If Wasps can't play, Bristol Bears, who finished third in the Premiership table, will take their place. If that happens, someone will do a European double. The Chiefs are European champions, after overcoming Racing 92 at the home of Bristol Bears, Ashton Gate, last Saturday. The Bears overcame Toulon to win the European Challenge Cup in Provence the day before.

Bristol Bears' coach Pat Lam says: "We absolutely believe Wasps and Exeter should be contesting this final," Lam said shortly after hearing about the four further positive tests. Lee (Blackett) has done a superb job, as has Rob (Baxter). On Saturday, it was superb to see what Exeter have done in winning the European Champions Cup."

He added: "The players have been great throughout all this," added Lam. "Myself included, we were all booked for holidays this week and ready to go. We've put them all on hold for now."