Leicester, Sale Women docked points after failing to meet English players rule

Premiership Women's Rugby clubs Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks have been deducted five points each after they failed to field the minimum average number of players qualified to play for England, the RFU said on Friday.

"Following the conclusion of Qualification Period 1... Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks Women failed to achieve a minimum average of 13 English Qualified Players (EQP) in their match day squad," the RFU said in a statement.

"The deduction will take place automatically today and there is no right of appeal. This will not impact either club's league position," they added.

World Rugby deems a player eligible to represent a national team if they or either of their parents or grandparents were born in that country, or if they have lived there for sixty consecutive months or for a cumulative period of 10 years.

Leicester and Sale are the bottom two teams in the league table. After the deduction, eighth-placed Leicester have four points and bottom side Sale have three points. Seventh-placed Ealing Trailfinders have 13 points.