A second Boxing Day Gallagher Premiership match has been called off

Irish returned a small number of positive tests in this week's round of PCR testing, but had further players who presented with symptoms yesterday. Following discussions with Public Health England, it is clear that the match cannot go ahead.

A Premiership Rugby spokesperson said: "The health and safety of players, staff, management, officials and supporters is our only priority, so the decision has been taken to call the game off.

"We will give London Irish all the support they need and hope that those who have tested positive will make a swift and successful recovery.

"Neither Premiership Rugby nor the club will be naming any of the players or staff involved and we'd ask everyone to respect their privacy."

London Irish Director of Rugby, Declan Kidney, added: "We were really looking forward to going to The Rec on Boxing Day, so we're incredibly disappointed that we're unable to fulfil the fixture.

"I'm really disappointed for the players, as they've acted professionally, following all the relevant guidelines, but this is the situation we find ourselves in at the moment, as the country continues to try and navigate its way through the pandemic."

Under the Premiership Rugby regulations, the match between London Irish and Bath Rugby will be cancelled. A Premiership Rugby panel will now be convened to determine the allocation of points and a further announcement will be made in due course.

The other four matches in Round 4 of Gallagher Premiership go ahead as scheduled.

Known as Billy Whizz, this former rugby league star proved a hugely successful convert to Union. A lethal runner from full-back or wing, he was a nightmare to mark in one-on-one situations. Had a knack of scoring memorable tries on the big stage.

DID YOU KNOW? The trailblazer was England's first black captain

The ultimate players’ player. Did all the unseen, grafting work and just got on with his job in unassuming fashion, putting his body on the line. Able to excel right across the back row, he was a pivotal figure on two Lions trips and an England World Cup winner.

DID YOU KNOW? Hill is a second cousin removed of film director Peter Jackson

Itoje made three Test appearances for the British & Irish Lions against New Zealand in 2017 and was part of the squad that reached the 2019 Rugby World Cup final. He was named European Player of the Year in 2016 after picking up the man of the match in his club’s European Champions Cup final triumph.

DID YOU KNOW? He is the cousin of Bath’s loosehead prop Beno Obano and Gloucester winger Ollie Thorley

A player who led by example and the kind of man you would always want alongside you in the trenches when the chips are down. Would never ask someone to do something he wouldn’t do himself. Captained the Lions on two tours, including the triumphant 1997 trip to South Africa, but he will always be remembered as the man presented with the 2003 World Cup.

DID YOU KNOW? When former England centre Jeremy Guscott walked into the dressing room on the day of Wilkinson’s international debut, he thought the 18-year-old had won a competition to spend the day with the national team.

A player who led by example and the kind of man you would always want alongside you in the trenches when the chips are down. Would never ask someone to do something he wouldn’t do himself. Captained the Lions on two tours, including the triumphant 1997 trip to South Africa, but he will always be remembered as the man presented with the 2003 World Cup.

DID YOU KNOW? Johnson briefly played American football for the Leicester Panthers as a tight end or defensive end.