Women's Premier 15s to take two-week "circuit breaker"

Rounds 11 and 12 of the Allianz Premier 15s have been postponed with play not resuming until the end of January at the earliest despite the competition having dispensation to continue during the current national lockdown.

The Premier 15s was granted "elite" status alongside the men's Premiership to carry on playing and has been operating under adapted laws to reduce the risk of contamination between players and teams.

However, a number of matches have been postponed - including the meeting between Harlequins and Saracens twice being delayed - and fears over the further spread of the new variant of coronavirus, as well as player concerns about a lack of testing, has led to the decision.

The Women's Six Nations, which is due to start in early February, is also likely to be delayed until April although that postponement has yet to be ratified by organisers.