Leinster vs Toulon: Champions Cup fixture cancelled due to Covid case

Fate of last-16 clash is up in the air, with the tournament’s quarter-finals due to be held next week

The round-of-16 tie between Leinster and Toulon has been called off on short notice (AFP via Getty Images)

Leinster and Toulon’s Champions Cup last-16 meeting has been cancelled after an unnamed member of the French club’s squad tested positive for coronavirus.

The game was due to take place on Friday evening ahead of next weekend’s quarter-finals, with the winner here due to take on either Exeter Chiefs or Lyon on 9 April.

Due to the imminence of the next round, it seems unlikely that Leinster vs Toulon will be rescheduled.

During the competition’s group stage, any club unable to play a fixture due to a Covid-19 case had to forfeit the tie.

It is unclear whether that rule will carry over into the knockout rounds, though Irish side Leinster will progress if that is the case.

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The tournament has already been hit hard by coronavirus, with January’s remaining pool games called off due to concerns from the French government around international travel.

The Champions Cup semi-finals are set for the last weekend of April, with the final due to take place on 22 May.

The final was originally to be held in Marseille, though that is no longer the case.