Harlequins has this morning confirmed due to the on-going industrial action by the RMT, the club has been left with no option but to move the planned Big Game 14 event at Twickenham stadium initially scheduled for December 27.

The club's biggest annual event will now be moved to early March and will see a change of opposition. Saturday 4 March 2023 will see Big Game 14 commence with Harlequins Women vs Exeter Chiefs Women, 12:00 KO followed by Harlequins Men vx Exeter Chiefs with kick off at 15:00.

Despite December 27 not being designated for a day of industrial action, the club has been informed this week that mainline train services into Twickenham station will not operate at all on the event day, alongside severe restrictions across the train and underground network feeding the local area.

Harlequins has been advised on crowd safety concerns that it would not be safe to deliver the much anticipated sold-out Twickenham stadium event.

In a video released this morning on the club's Youtube channel, Harlequins CEO, Laurie Dalrymple explained: "We are devastated to have to move Big Game 14 from its annual festive place in the calendar because of this strike action. We know how special this event is to our local community and this was due to be our biggest and best ever event.

"I can assure our supporters that we have worked tirelessly to find any way to stage the event on or even near the 27 December, reducing capacity, laying on buses or developing a park and ride scheme to name a few. Ultimately we must put the safety of our supporters and those working at the event first and it is clear that without the functioning rail network, we cannot safely deliver a large scale event at Twickenham.

"The scale of the closures across multiple key train stations, train lines and tube lines is unprecedented and a much bigger impact that other recent smaller strikes on Twickenham match days. It is out of our control and we have sadly been left with no choice to postpone the fixture."

Dalrymple's full message to Quins fans can be viewed below.

All ticket holders for Big Game 14 will be contacted today by the club and provided options regarding their tickets.

The club's intended fixtures against Bristol Bears on 27 December will still go ahead but will now move to the lower capacity Twickenham Stoop stadium. Harlequins Women will kick off at 13.30 and the Men at 16.15.

Over 1,000 additional car parking spaces have been added for supporters wishing to drive to the event, alongside the usual 1,000 + places the club normally use on match days.

Harlequins has also confirmed an additional shuttle bus service to and from Richmond mainline station pre and post match with details to be announced on the club's website shortly.

Dalrymple continued: "Many of our supporters live within walking distance from The Stoop or travel by car or their own means. With a 14,800 capacity, and supported by the additional parking from the RFU, we are able to deliver the match day.

"While this will not be the full event day of Big Game, we will deliver two brilliant rugby matches and all of our usual pre match entertainment, live music, pyro and light show. We thank Bristol Bears for their understanding at this late change and we hope to see a packed Stoop full of supporters enjoying the festive season and the superb atmosphere of The Stoop."

General sale tickets for the December 27 double header at The Stoop have been launched today.