Saturday’s Premiership match between Worcester and Gloucester has been cancelled because of a new coronavirus case at the Kingsholm club.

A large number of the Cherry and Whites players are isolating, meaning they are unable to field a 23-man squad.

A Premiership Rugby panel will allocate points for the match.

It is likely, however, that Worcester will be awarded four points and Gloucester two – as happened with other games which had to be cancelled because of Covid earlier in the season.

“While no one wants to call off any match, especially the last game of the season, our priority is the health and safety of everyone involved with Gloucester Rugby and Worcester Warriors,” said a Premiership statement.

The names of the Gloucester players affected will not be made public.

Worcester, who will finish bottom of the Premiership, had been expecting a restricted attendance of 3,100 at Sixways.

“While we are disappointed that the Gloucester match has been cancelled we fully understand the reasons and we wish everyone at Kingsholm a full recovery,” said Warriors managing director Peter Kelly.

Black & Cox denied proper farewell

Worcester loose-head prop Callum Black has announced that he will retire from rugby at the end of the season.

The 35-year-old has made 103 appearances for Warriors over two spells but, alongside back row Matt Cox – who confirmed his retirement on Monday – will be denied the chance to say an on-pitch goodbye to fans at Sixways after Saturday’s cancellation.

The club, however, has promised supporters an end-of-season party will replace the match, adding: “We still intend to give players a proper end-of-season send-off.

“We still want to reward our supporters for their loyalty over what has been an extremely challenging year. There was always going to be a party atmosphere for this match.

“We are working on putting on entertainment, food and drink for what will be a party in a safe and socially distanced environment.”

Black played 145 times for Ulster Rugby in between his stints with Worcester.

“I never would have thought I would go on to play over 100 games for two great clubs,” he said.

“To finish my career with Worcester is special to me and I thank Solly [Alan Solomons] for having the faith to sign me.”