Champions Cup: Toulouse hit by Covid outbreak ahead of Cardiff clash

Planet Rugby

Toulouse have been left struggling to fulfil their Champions Cup match against Cardiff this weekend after the squad was hit by multiple positive Covid tests.

Ten cases had been detected on Monday, and a further round of testing on Thursday detected more among both players and staff. With training also cancelled in between the rounds, it seems the outbreak in the squad may be unstoppable.

Everything possible

The team has registered its findings with ECPR and is now awaiting a decision, but the club has insisted it will do everything possible to field a team against Cardiff, who had a similar problem in their first match a month ago when they were forced to field a team full of academy players after most of their senior squad was quarantined.

But both sides need a win to qualify this time, and Cardiff coach Dai Young was keen to emphasize that nothing is off until it’s official; Toulouse would forfeit the game 28-0 were they to be unable to field a team.

“We’ve had no communication from anyone to say the game is in doubt,” he said to the BBC.

“So we’re just planning as the game is going ahead. We’ll crack on.

“It’s in the media that there are cases out there. Obviously that’s something that we don’t get involved in. It’s for them [Toulouse] to speak to the relevant parties.

“I’m sure they’re going to do everything in their power to get this game to go ahead because they’re in a position where they need to win this game to qualify.

“They’re reigning champions so I’m sure they’ll do everything they can but, in saying that, I’m sure the health authorities will do the right thing for everybody as well.”

Beyond the weekend, though, Fabien Galthie will also be monitoring events with interest; he has named 10 of the Toulouse side in his Six Nations squad.