National rugby matches postponed after 3 players test COVID positive

Three matches of Georgian national rugby championships were postponed after players of the Didi 10 premier competition and League One second tier tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday.

Games between Kharebi and Jankers in Rustavi, originally scheduled for matchday two of the Didi 10 on Friday, and Lelo Saracens and Lokomotivi, originally set to be held two days later, will not be played on the dates.

Similarly, a League One fixture between Devebi and Kazbegi has been postponed and will not take place on Sunday, as it had been planned.

The decisions have been made by clubs and league organisers after three players from involved teams tested positive for the coronavirus.

Georgian Rugby on Thursday said the positive tests were confirmed despite measures implemented in clubs, such as "COVID managers" set up at every team to help ensure safety of personnel.

The governing body also said it was involved in contact tracing efforts after the test results - which involved players from Lokomotivi, Jankers and Devebi - while the clubs in question were self-isolating.

The positive tests come amid a sharply increased trends of the virus in Georgia over the recent weeks, with nearly 900 cases confirmed on Friday.