NEWCASTLE Falcons have been awarded an additional four points following the cancellation of their Gallagher Premiership Rugby Round Four match on Boxing Day.

Premiership Rugby confirmed that the team, coached by Kendal born player Mark Wilson, would advance four points while Leicester Tigers would advance by two.

The decision was made by a Premiership Rugby Panel comprising Premiership Rugby chairman Andy Higginson, chief executive Darren Childs and rugby director Phil Winstanley.

The match was cancelled after the Tigers returned a small number of positives tests in last week’s round of PCR testing. In addition, a large number of the squad were ruled out of the match due to contact tracing, leading to the closure of the Tigers’ training ground to protect against the potential for a significant outbreak at the club.

With players in isolation and the closure of the training ground, Leicester Tigers were unable to fulfil its fixture obligations

A Premiership Rugby spokesperson said: "Following Leicester Tigers’ inability to fulfil their Gallagher Premiership Rugby Round Four fixture against Newcastle Falcons as a result of Covid-19, the Falcons have been awarded the win and four league points.

"Leicester Tigers shall be deemed to have lost the match but awarded two league points.

"The match score shall be recorded as 0–0.

"The health and safety of players, staff, management, officials and supporters is our only priority, so the correct decision was taken to call the game off."