Warriors hope for early Sale date

Worcester Warriors will hope for an early decision on the date for the postponed game against Sale Sharks.

The likely date for the game is the weekend of 31 January as the Six Nations starts a week later.

Warriors general manager Charlie Little told BBC Hereford and Worcester the game being called off on Saturday because of a frozen pitch was a blow.

"It's disappointing for everyone to have lost such a big game in the Guinness Premiership," he said.

"[They are] the very weather conditions that have also impacted badly on other sporting events across the country.

"We're disappointed for the players, who have trained hard all week and were really up for putting in a good performance.

Warriors' South Stand stopped the sun thawing the pitch

"And the staff and hospitality team that had been working over the new year period to get everything in place for the game.

"We're also disappointed for the ground staff who I know have worked around the clock to look after the pitch and have done everything they possibly could have to get the green light.

"But, most disappointing of all, is that our fans, who will have been looking forward to the first league game of the year, now do not get the chance to welcome in 2009 with top-flight rugby.

"We now have two European Challenge Cup games to look forward to and will let fans know about the rearranged date as soon as possible.

"We have been monitoring the adverse weather conditions, via various outlets, throughout this period but what has beaten us is the fact that we are in an exposed area and have suffered a very bad frost overnight.

"Two thirds of the pitch would have been deemed playable for 3pm but the south end is still frozen due to the low sun which has not risen above the stand to heat it up.

"We would like to thank match referee Dave Pearson for making the journey to the stadium early in the morning for the inspection.

"He made not only the correct decision but also a quick one that has allowed us to put the message out to supporters locally and also those travelling down from Sale."

Warriors' next Guinness Premiership game is at Harlequins on Saturday, 10 January and there will be full commentary on BBC Hereford & Worcester.