Blow for Leeds after they are ordered to replay fixture

The Rugby Football Union have ruled the 34-16 win over Plymouth will be quashed after referee Matthew Carley was deemed to have made the right decision to move to uncontested scrums following just 13 minutes of the game.

He had had growing concerns about the state of Headingley Carnegie’s new £1m pitch, deeming it was unsafe for scrummaging after it cut-up early on causing a number of scrums to be re-set.

Plymouth were angered by the situation, the RFU ordered a review and, in a statement yesterday, they concluded: “The Organising Committee of the Championship met this week at the request of the RFU to review the circumstances that led to uncontested scrums after 13 minutes of play in the fixture Leeds Carnegie v Plymouth Albion at Headingley on January 6, 2013.

“Having considered all facts and reviewed a tape of the game in question, the Committee found that the referee correctly ruled the pitch was not safe for scrummaging.

“After consideration of the representations of the clubs, the Laws of the Game and the regulations governing the Championship, the Committee decided that the fixture should be replayed on the next available free weekend, being February 1-3 at a venue of Leeds’s choice.

“If a venue can be secured in Yorkshire that meets the Laws/Regulations, Leeds Carnegie will be required to fund Plymouth Albion’s proper travel and accommodation costs.

“Alternatively, the game can be replayed at Brickfields with Plymouth Albion meeting all staging costs whilst retaining game revenue. Either club has a right of appeal against this decision to an independent panel.”

Leeds have yet to comment, but they have since endured more pitch difficulties.

They agreed to switch their Leinster A game to South Leeds Stadium to give the Headingley surface more time to bed in, but that is now frozen.

The fixture will instead take place at West Park Leeds tomorrow (11.30am) with free admission for spectators.

Rotherham Titans – who this week have seen scrum-half Charlie Mulchrone and lock Barney Maddison sign up ahead of next season – will undertake a pitch inspection at Clifton Lane at lunchtime today before deciding whether their game against Aberavon tomorrow can be played.