Wasps have been given the green light to play in Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership final against Exeter Chiefs after the latest batch of COVID-19 results came back all negative.
Wasps returned seven positive COVID-19 tests last week, and a further four on Monday, placing their participation in the Premiership final in doubt. They underwent further testing on Monday, and received the results early Wednesday morning.
Wasps had put training on hold to cope with the outbreak of COVID-19 at the club, but now have three days to prepare as a team for Saturday’s showpiece event.
“I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to Premiership Rugby, the RFU, Public Health England and Public Health Warwickshire for their clarity and assistance throughout this whole process,” Wasps CEO Stephen Vaughan said in a statement.
“As a club, we are delighted that we can now take our rightful place in this Saturday’s Premiership Rugby Final. To all our fans and well-wishers, thank you for your many messages of support. This final is for you.”
There were doubts Wasps would be able to take their rightful place in the final if they had returned further COVID-19 results. Had they received more positive tests then Wasps may have been unable to field a team, or Public Health England may have intervened and ruled them unable to participate.
But Wednesday’s news will come as a welcome relief to the side that finished second in the table and defeated Bristol Bears in the semifinal a fortnight ago.
Bristol Bears, who finished in third, were on standby to play in the final had Wasps returned further positive tests. But their successful season now comes to a close, and they can celebrate last Friday’s European Challenge Cup triumph.