WARRIORS' away clash with Gloucester has been cancelled after they were unable to put a team out.

A Worcester Warriors spokesman announced the game at Kingsholme had been cancelled due to a lack of sufficient front row forwards to comply with competition rules.

Covid, illnesses and injuries mean that Warriors have 36 players unavailable for one reason or another, leaving just 18 fit players, of whom three are prop forwards.

The rules for the Gallagher Premiership state each team must have at least six fit and able players who can play at hooker, tighthead and loosehead prop or who are suitably trained to ensure they can replace one of the regular front row so they can safely contest scrums.

When the side to face Gloucester was announced on Thursday, Warriors named the only four fit props in the club at that stage.

The availability of Murray McCallum, who was named as replacement tighthead, was subject to him passing a fitness test on Friday morning. He subsequently failed that fitness test.

A Warriors spokesman said: "Gloucester and Premiership Rugby have now been notified that we no longer have sufficient fit and available front row forwards to allow tonight’s match to proceed safely.

"We apologise to Gloucester, supporters of both clubs and BT Sport for the inconvenience this will inevitably cause but exceptional circumstances have conspired against us.

"An independent Panel will now be convened to decide the points allocation and that decision will be communicated in due course but Premiership Rugby can confirm the match will not be replayed."