Timisora Saracens guilty of rule breach and could cost Quins

Timisora Saracens have been fined and Stade Francais awarded a bonus point victory due to the unplayable pitch in Timisora last Saturday.
Despite the poor weather conditions an independent Disciplinary Committee found there to be no exceptional circumstances and awarded a four-try bonus point result of 28-0 to Stade and imposed a fine of €30,000 on Timisoara Saracens.
The result means that the fixture between Harlequins and Stade Francais in Paris on Sunday will determine who qualifies for the quarter-finals from Pool 5.
Had the Saracens managed to cause an upset in front of their home crowd, Harlequins would have at least finished second in their group regardless of the outcome in Paris on Sunday.
According to the committee, not all the appropriate steps were taken by the Romanians to prepare and protect the playing surface at the Dan Paltinisanu Stadium and that the club had breached the Tournament Rules of the 2016/17 Challenge Cup Participation Agreement.
It was agreed that Timisoara Saracens' preparation of the playing surface was deficient in that pitch covers were not provided, the undersoil heating system was not ready in good time and that no suitable alternative venue for the match was available.
Timisora Saracens now have the right to appeal the decision but the result may also have a great impact on Harlequins hopes of progressing in the competition.