Saracens hope to play Clermont clash on Monday after postponement of Sunday's Champions Cup tie

Saracens will enter almost uncharted territory when they attempt to replay their postponed Champions Cup game against Clermont Auvergne at Allianz Park on Monday. 

The precise timing of the game was still up in the air with European officials preferring an afternoon kick-off (perhaps behind closed doors) although Saracens had concerns as to whether they could provide the necessary on-site medical cover at that time. Discussions went on late into the night with an evening kick-off another option.  

It is only the ninth postponement in European Cup history but only the second time that a game has been rescheduled within 24 hours. An Edinburgh-Castres postponement in 2010 was eventually staged on the Monday. 

An unprecedented turn of events saw transport systems paralysed in north London and away fans cast adrift as they watched an all-weather pitch rendered immaterial by off-field considerations.

The Pool 2 fixture was the only European match to fall foul of the weather and was called off late on Sunday morning following health and safety concerns over access for spectators as well as issues within the stadium.

Clermont had been held up initially at Luton Airport and were informed of the decision not to go ahead with what is a reprise of last season’s final.

The fact that the French side were already in the area made a Monday slot all the more attractive. Their hearty band of travelling supporters, however, fared less well with the majority of them already booked on return journeys to central France.

Saracens and Clermont share top billing in Pool 2 with the back-to-back European champions enjoying a slender one-point advantage over the Top 14 champions due to a maximum bonus-point haul from their two matches. Saracens are defending a record 20-match unbeaten run (19 wins) in the tournament.   

The return leg takes place at the Stade Marcel Michelin on Sunday.