Sale P-P Gloucester

The ground staff at Edgeley Park admitted defeat on Thursday lunchtime

Friday night's Premiership clash between Sale Sharks and Gloucester has been postponed because of heavy snow at Edgeley Park.

Sale spokesman Dave Swanton told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: "We took a call from the council asking for help.

"They said 'with plummeting temperatures we would not advise people to come'.

"We have a responsibility to people who pay their money. It's easy to say 'the game is on' but it's crackers."

Swanton added: "You'd be playing in front of about 1,000 people and then wondering whether they'd all got home safely."

"We've had more snow, the hot air balloon that we've employed over the pitch - every time it snows, even if it's light snow - has to be stopped for the snow to be brushed off it and then it's got to be re-inflated."

"Part of the pitch in one of the corners was solid, but in effect most of the pitch would be playable, but snow around the ground and ice on the streets and pavements."

Supporters are advised to keep hold of their tickets which will be valid for the re-arranged game, the date of which is yet to be confirmed.