Sale are waiting to learn why Wasps were cleared by a Premier Rugby panel this week after refusing to play a Premiership match at Edgeley Park last month because they had concerns about a waterlogged part of the pitch. The full decision is expected tomorrow.

Premier Rugby officials are tonight in talks about how to avoid a repeat of the controversy, which was caused when Sale wanted to play and the referee, David Rose, passed the pitch playable but Wasps exercised their right not to take the field under an International Rugby Board regulation.

That ran counter to a Premiership regulation which gives the referee the final say in the event of a dispute between the sides, but Premier Rugby can insist that the visiting team turns up in ample time if it is clear that weather conditions could jeopardise a match. Wasps arrived at Edgeley Park 80 minutes before kick-off, when spectators had been admitted. Their players were soon back on their coach.

"We have two free weekends because of European competition and by the time the Premiership resumes, we will have amended our regulations," said the Premier Rugby chief executive, Mark McCafferty.

"Improvements clearly need to be made, not just for the players but spectators and officials. We showed earlier in the year after the fake blood substitution affair that we were able to react quickly to events and that will be the case again."