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Premiership clubs could face points deduction for bubble breaches

This is the eighth straight year that concussion has been the top injury sustained by rugby players in England. Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Gallagher Premiership club's risk players being banned, receiving fines or even having points deducted if if they break the rules of the league's bubble, sources have told ESPN.

The league is due to resume on Aug. 14 with Harlequins vs. Sale Sharks.

Clubs could face losing up to 10 points for breaking the rules designed to prevent any more disruption to the schedule from the coronavirus.

Teams travelling to games will be expected to take several buses to ensure social distancing and players will not share hotel rooms overnight if a stay is required.

Players will be forbidden from contacting people outside their bubble and the RFU's Head of Discipline David Barnes will investigate any reported breaches.

The Premiership confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that two additional players had tested positive for the coronavirus.

The rugby calendar is facing a tight turnaround to get all postponed fixtures completed this year.

The World Rugby executive committee agreed to a temporary international window between Oct. 24 and Dec. 5 on Wednesday.

Part of the proposal is that this year's Rugby Championship is hosted in one country over a six-week period between Nov. 7 to Dec. 12.

Southern hemisphere rugby's governing body SANZAAR has said its preferred host for the competition is New Zealand, where the coronavirus threat has been contained in recent weeks.