Gorvett says Bristol could not cancel the match on just a forecast alone

Bristol chief executive Steve Gorvett says criticism by Munster over their late cancellation of Sunday's British and Irish Cup clash was harsh.

Bristol delayed a pitch inspection at the Memorial Stadium until 0830 GMT on Sunday morning despite Bristol Rovers' game on Saturday being called off.

"I think it's a little unfair as they decided to travel at seven o'clock on Saturday morning," said Gorvett.

"So we didn't have chance to speak to them once it had snowed overnight."

Gorvett conitnued: "The pitch was perfectly playable on Friday and we couldn't cancel it then on [the basis of] a forecast.

"So they [Munster] were actually in the country before we'd had chance to look at the situation."

I know the forecast was for it to get bad but forecasts aren't always right so we tend so wait and see what actually happens Steve Gorvett

The Munster side returned to Ireland on Sunday by ferry from Wales due to the problems at Heathrow Airport caused by the snow and ice.

A post on their website read: "There was more than a little dismay that it was left so late to make the call on the state of the pitch given that a soccer game had been postponed and weather conditions hadn't improved."

"The general instruction is to leave it as late as possible [to call the game off]," added Gorvett.

"We spoke to the Rovers people when we were there at the ground on Saturday and the sun was out and it [the snow] was melting.

"I know the forecast was for it to get bad but forecasts aren't always right so we tend so wait and see what actually happens."

A date for the re-arranged British & Irish cup fixture has yet to be decided.

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