The Scarlets have forfeited Saturday’s Champions Cup opener against Bristol Bears as they are unable to put together a side which they feel can safely take the field at Ashton Gate.
That means the Bears will be awarded a 28-0 walkover and five match points.
The Scarlets currently have 32 front-line players, including all their international stars, in isolation in a hotel in Country Antrim, outside Belfast, along with staff.
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That follows their return from South Africa, which they left after the country was put on the UK red list because of concerns over the new Omicron variant of Covid.
They don’t come out of their 10-day quarantine period until Friday, the day before they were due to take on Bristol in a Pool B fixture.
It has been decided it would be too risky to play any of them at Ashton Gate as they’ve not had any physical preparation, confined to their hotel rooms for some 23 and a half hours a day, with just 30 minutes exercise in the car park.
That leaves the Scarlets with just 14 fit players left at home - seven senior squad members and seven development youngsters.
Bringing in sufficient players on loan has proved too challenging, with a lack of front row numbers the biggest issue.
So the game is off.
The west Wales region have put out the following statement: “Scarlets are disappointed to announce they have forfeited their round one Heineken Champions Cup match against Bristol Bears, due to be played on Saturday, December 11.
“Following discussions between Scarlets management, coaches, players and medical and conditioning staff, the overwhelming feeling was that it would be a physical risk to select any of the 32 front-line squad members who are currently in quarantine in a hotel outside of Belfast.
“Since returning from South Africa, the travelling party have been in a strict 10-day quarantine, confined to their rooms with limited outdoor time a day without having been able to train as a group. That isolation period is due to end on Friday, December 10 - just a day before the Bristol fixture.
“At present, we have 14 fit Scarlets players training at Parc y Scarlets - seven senior players and seven development players.
“We would like to thank the Ospreys and Dragons for their offer of assistance, but, unfortunately, we have been unable to put together a side we feel can safely take the field against the Bears.”
Executive chairman Simon Muderack added: “It is a decision we haven’t taken lightly.
“This is a great fixture between two great clubs, which supporters, players and staff on both sides were all looking forward to.
“Ultimately, though, the welfare of our players has to be our priority and following discussions with our staff it was felt there was too much risk to ask the players currently in quarantine to play a game of this magnitude and intensity just a day after coming out of quarantine.
“You have to remember, the squad have been in isolation since the news of this Omicron variant first emerged when they were still in Durban so it will be something like 15 days in all.
“Also, a lot of the players haven’t played since the Benetton game on October 22. As a club we have a duty of care to our players.
“With only 14 squad members training at the Parc, half of them young development players, we did look into the possibility of registering players from other regions and we have been grateful for the positive response from Ospreys and Dragons.
“But, any players we did loan would effectively be ‘cup-tied’ and become Scarlets players for the pool stages of the tournament, which has made that option a challenge as well.
“With the integrity of the competition in mind, we felt we were unable to put together a competitive match-day 23 that would be able to take the field against the Bears.
“We are all disappointed. I know a lot of fans had booked accommodation in Bristol and have been looking forward to this game for some time. But I am sure everyone will understand the situation we have found ourselves in through no fault of our own.
“I would also like to stress that we have returned no positive Covid-19 cases in all the rounds of PCR testing prior to leaving and since arriving in South Africa and Northern Ireland.
“We would like to thank everyone at Bristol Bears and EPCR for their understanding of our predicament and look forward to welcoming Pat Lam and his side to Parc y Scarlets for the return fixture in January.”
For those supporters who have purchased tickets and official coach travel for the game, further details will be published shortly.
The Scarlets plan to go ahead with their second Champions Cup fixture at home to Bordeaux-Begles on Sunday, December 19, assessing the readiness of those players who have been in quarantine when it comes to the team selection.
The tournament organisers, EPCR, have issued their own statement.
It reads: “EPCR have been informed by Scarlets that due to player welfare concerns and the club’s inability to safely field a match day squad, they are not in a position to fulfil their Heineken Champions Cup, Round 1 fixture against Bristol Bears scheduled for Saturday, 11 December at Ashton Gate.
“The fixture in Pool B is therefore cancelled with Bristol Bears awarded the match on a 28-0, five match points basis, in accordance with the Tournament Rules.
“Scarlets, Bristol Bears and EPCR used their best endeavours to stage the match, however, this has not been possible and it is regrettable that the fixture is now cancelled.
“EPCR acknowledges the unfortunate circumstances which have impacted on Scarlets’ players and staff through no fault of their own, and would like to emphasise that awarding the match to Bristol Bears is a tournament management measure with the objective of ensuring that all fixtures in the 2021/22 Heineken Champions Cup are accounted for.
“EPCR has been in regular dialogue with Scarlets in recent days to offer guidance and support, and best wishes are extended to everyone at the club.”
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