SARACENS have confirmed that the Boxing Day clash with Worcester Warriors will go ahead despite an outbreak of Covid at the London-based club.

Saracens have had to forfeit their European Challenge Cup fixture with Section Paloise this Saturday due to not being able to field a 23-man squad for both Covid and injury reasons.

The club has taken the immediate action of closing their training ground and isolating all players, coaches and supporting staff.

"We have been working closely with EPCR (European Professional Club Rugby) and PRL (Premiership Rugby Limited) and it is with regret that our game versus Section Paloise in the EPCR Challenge Cup on Saturday 18th December has had to be forfeited by Saracens due to our inability to field a 23 man squad for this fixture," a club statement read on Wednesday.

"In addition to positive Covid-19 cases we have players self-isolating due to being close contacts and a number of players who are currently injured.

"The need to forfeit the fixture will result in a 28-0 loss to Pau, and five match points to Pau as set out in the EPCR tournament rules. This is extremely disappointing for everyone at the club but as always the health and wellbeing of our people is our priority at this time."

The statement went on to confirm that all players, coaches and supporting staff will stay in isolation until Christmas Eve, just two days before the scheduled Gallagher Premiership fixture with Worcester.

But Saracens are adamant that the game will indeed go ahead despite this latest Covid scare.

"The squad will return to full training on 24th December following the necessary period of isolation," the statement continued.

"We would like to reassure our supporters that our Gallagher Premiership fixture versus Worcester Warriors on December 26 will still take place and we very much look forward to seeing you all at StoneX Stadium for a feast of festive rugby."

Saracens are not the only club that are seemingly struggling with the latest wave of Covid across the country.

Bath had to cancel training earlier this week after a "small number" of positive cases were reported in the latest round of PCR testing on Tuesday and this came after Wasps had a host of players out for their European tie with Munster last weekend.