Worcester Warriors clash with Harlequins in the Guinness Premiership on Saturday has been postponed due to a frozen pitch at Twickenham Stoop.
Referee Wayne Barnes inspected the pitch at 4.30pm on Friday afternoon and deemed it unsafe for play – resulting in a second postponement for Warriors in consecutive weeks.
Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock said: “We’re bitterly disappointed to hear that the game has been called off as we had prepared really well for this challenge.
“The boys we’re raring to go and looking forward to playing Harlequins in our first game of 2009. However, we understand how badly the weather can hit pitches as it happened to us last weekend when we were due to play Sale Sharks.
“We now look forward to the game with Bucuresti Oaks in the European Challenge Cup when we will be aiming to belatedly start the year in style on home soil.”
Intensive work had been carried out by Harlequins during the week in an attempt to make the match go ahead, including hot air blowers onto the pitch and double covers to keep it warm, but it has unfortunately not worked.
It is the first time in 12 years that a Quins game have had to be re-scheduled for a frozen pitch and they have apologised for any inconvenience this decision may cause to supporters.
The game will now be rescheduled later in the season.
Fand who have purchased match tickets for then game are advised that they remain valid for the re-arranged fixture, the date of which will be announced as soon as a suitable date can be found. No refunds will be made on any tickets until the re-arranged fixture has been set.