France’s Six Nations match in Paris against Scotland this weekend has been given a green light after the whole squad tested negative in the recent rounds of coronavirus tests.
Today, the Six Nations released a statement saying: “Further to a meeting of the Six Nations Testing Oversight Group (TOG) this morning to review the latest tests results of the French Squad, the Six Nations confirm the plans to stage the France v Scotland match as originally scheduled this coming Sunday.
“We continue to monitor the situation very closely and are in regular contact with both unions.”
The game has been in doubt after five players and three staff members of the French squat tested positive for Covid‑19 last week.
The French Rugby Federation announced on Monday that five additional players have tested positive and are now self‑isolating.
The new players found positive include the captain Charles Ollivon, loosehead prop Cyril Baille, hooker Peato Mauvaka, second‑row Roamin Taofifenua and full‑back Brice Dulin. Together with scrum‑half Antoine Dunpont, tight‑head prop Mohamed Haouas, winger Gabin Villière, centre Arthur Vincent and hooker Julien Marchand, will be unavailable for Sunday’s game.
Head coach Fabien Galthié and assistant coaches William Servat and Karim Ghezal, have also tested positive for Covid‑19 last week.
If the game was to be postponed, it would need to be during a rest week for the tournament and outside of World Rugby’s designated international window.
Scottish Rugby Union released a statement saying that any postponed could cause their squat to lose more than 10 players, due release agreement in place with clubs.
France is undefeated and currently leading the 2021 Guinness Six Nations tournament, whereas Scotland were beaten by Wales in Round 2 after their victory over England the previous week.
In Round 3 this weekend, Ireland will take on Italy in Rome, while Wales will host defending champions England in Cardiff.
Feature image credits: BBC
Film, Media and Journalism student at the University of Stirling. Sports editor @ Brig Newspaper. Bylines in Edinburgh Evening Times and the SPA National Magazine.
[…] The game was given a green light yesterday, after two consecutive days of negative tests from the French squat. […]