Overmach Parma failed to show up at Gloucester's Kingsholm ground for their re-arranged Parker Pen Shield tie with Pontypridd adding to the long running saga this match has turned into.

The finance administration executive of European Rugby Cup Limited, Roger O'Connor, read the following statement at the allotted kick off time of 7.30pm.

"It is now obvious that Overmach Parma have not turned up for this rearranged match.

"I have informed the ERC chief executive, Derek McGrath, of their no-show at Kingsholm tonight and I have explained to Pontypridd that a decision on what happens next will be taken by the ERC board.

"We are aware of the pressures on the clubs in the Pool and their desire to know the position before the final round of pool matches at the weekend.

"The chief executive has considered all the options and he will be putting them to the board tomorrow."

Pontypridd were only able to conduct a training session because of the predicted no-show by the Italians.

The position at the top of Pool Three means Pontypridd are battling with Leeds Tykes for a place in the quarter-finals.

The Welsh club were due to meet the Italians in Parma last weekend but the game was called off by English referee Steve Leyshon because of a frozen pitch.

Against that background, ERC ordered the game to be played in Gloucester, firstly on Wednesday night and then tonight.

But an indignant Parma refused to turn up and will be hoping the ERC board give them a sympathetic hearing tomorrow.

Pontypridd needed to win in Parma, where Leeds were defeated earlier in the season, to match the English clubs at the top of the pool.

That would have left them requiring only a victory at home to Beziers on Saturday to reach the last eight.