Saturday, January 09, 2010
GLASGOW were last night demanding compensation after being left "disappointed and frustrated" at the cancellation of last night’s Magners League game at Leinster.
The match was postponed due to a frozen pitch following an 11am inspection at the RDS.
Glasgow are upset they were allowed to fly to Dublin yesterday, saying in a statement: "The Warriors, who travelled to Dublin yesterday, did so on the advice of Leinster officials who expected the game to go ahead as planned.
"A number of travelling fans have also been severely inconvenienced. Glasgow Warriors will now be discussing the late cancellation of the fixture with Magners League organisers, Celtic Rugby, as a priority."
Leinster insist they had been confident of the match taking place up until Thursday evening, which saw temperatures fall to minus five degrees overnight and a heavy frost set in, followed by heavy snowfall early yesterday morning.
Chief executive Mick Dawson said on his club’s official website, www.leinsterrugby.ie: "Unfortunately, the pitch is unplayable despite a huge amount of effort made by ground-staff over the last week to get the game played.
"The weather just caught us out in the end because we were confident that it could go ahead up until yesterday evening. Following Garda and health & safety advice, we had to consider supporters travelling to the game from the far reaches of Leinster and beyond as well as the safety of the players as the roads and pathways around the ground are also treacherous."
Leinster head coach Michael Cheika added: "Obviously, we’re disappointed that the game has been called off, but the weather overnight was too cold and there was no choice.
"We would have liked to have played this game before the Brive game next weekend, without a doubt, but we’ll take the cards we’re dealt."
Meanwhile, a 5.30pm pitch inspection this evening will determine whether tomorrow’s Magners League clash between Munster and the Scarlets will go ahead at Musgrave Park.
The pitch has been covered since Wednesday and heaters also moved in yesterday. However, with the weather forecast promising a continuation of the icy conditions, the game is still very much in the balance.
Trish Drinan, event manager of Munster Rugby, said yesterday: "Pitch inspections were carried out Friday afternoon at Musgrave Park and Thomond Park by representatives of the IRFU Referee Department and Munster Rugby officials.
"Musgrave Park will undergo a further assessment at 5.30pm on Saturday evening before a final decision is made. Munster are confident the game will take place and every effort is being made to ensure the game goes ahead, with protective covers laid on the surface and heaters in place.
"In the event that Musgrave Park is deemed unplayable, the game is likely to be postponed as Thomond Park is currently unplayable. A further pitch inspection will take place at Thomond Park tomorrow evening also."
Munster Rugby examined the possibility of playing the game at 2.40pm tomorrow. However, following consultation with the Scarlets, Magners League and the broadcasters, Setanta, this was deemed unfeasible. An update will again be posted on www.munsterrugby.ie following the pitch inspections. Anyone with a ticket for this game is advised to monitor the site for updates.
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