Ulster’s European Challenge Cup match with the Cheetahs in the Netherlands has been postponed due to an unplayable pitch less than an hour before kick-off.
The sides were originally due to meet in Amsterdam with kick-off at 15:15 GMT, but with sub-zero temperatures expected in the capital, it was decided on Friday that the pitch at the NRCA Stadium would be unplayable.
The game was moved to Duke Rugby Club in the more southern city of s-Hertogenbosch and kick-off was brought forward to 13:00 GMT.
However, after more overnight snow and freezing temperatures, governing body European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) said the pitch was “deemed impracticable by the referee and posing a risk to players welfare”.
The EPCR said the game “postponed until further notice” and will “convene its Board Crisis Management Group to consider next steps”.
Ulster, who are fourth in Pool Three, defeated Racing 92 in their opening European fixture before a narrow defeat in Cardiff, while the Cheetahs had lost to both Exeter Chiefs and Stade Francais.
Richie Murphy’s side are set to round out their Pool stage at home to Stade Francais, who have already qualified for the last-16, on Saturday.
While the EPCR has yet to decide the next steps, in December 2017, Saracens’ Champions Cup game with Clermont Auvergne was moved from Sunday to a Monday after snow in London.
It is unclear if the game could be played on Monday at either the original NRCA Stadium in Amsterdam or in s-Hertogenbosch, but temperatures are set to rise across the Netherlands from Sunday evening.
The postponement also impacts Cardiff, who are second in the Pool and were waiting on a result in the game to see if they have qualified for the knockout stages with a match to spare.
Only a bonus-point win for the Cheetahs would have stopped the Welsh side progressing.
