ALAN Solomons believes the ongoing disruption of Covid has potentially highlighted the idea of ringfencing the Gallagher Premiership.

Solomons says that previous experience proves that a zero promotion/relegation system does not necessarily mean the competitive element would be damaged.

"I think you can adduce arguments either way," he said.

"I have come out of a system where in Super Rugby, we were ringfenced from 1997-01 and then when I went back to the Souther Kings in 2013.

"I would say that competition and the Prem are the two best competitions I have been involved with.

"The Super Rugby was an incredible tournament and the standard was unbelievable and there was no promotion or relegation in that and it had absolutely no impact on it at all."

There have now been four fixtures in the last two rounds of Premiership action that have been cancelled due to positive COVID-19 cases (or players having to isolate due to contact tracing) and Solomons thinks that this has outlined the potential need to seriously consider ringfencing.

"There are a lot of benefits of ringfencing the Premiership, not just comercial ones either," he added.

"Of course there are arguments the other way and I understand that but obviously the impact Covid has had, I think, has sharpened everyone's minds on this particular question.

"It has certainly put the focus on it, for sure."

The Warriors director of rugby was speaking to the press a few days after Worcester's New Year's Day league game with Harlequins was cancelled after a number of Quins players were forced to isolate.

They were not able to field a front-row, which meant Warriors were handed four points due to their opponents having to forfeit the fixture.

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