France v Scotland clash postponed after fresh Covid case

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The France against Scotland clash in the Six Nations has been postponed due to the positive Covid-19 cases coming from Les Bleus’ camp.

In an announcement made on Thursday, the Six Nations Testing Oversight Group confirmed it has recommended the postponement of the game in Paris.

Tournament chiefs gave the match the go-ahead on Wednesday but have now been forced to call it off after France’s entire squad was placed into quarantine after an 11th member of Fabien Galthie’s squad was found to have contracted the virus.

Unanimously recommended

The Six Nations said in a statement: “The Six Nations Testing Oversight Group (TOG) met today to review the situation in the French camp.

“They unanimously recommended the postponement of the France v Scotland match. This will be ratified later today by the Six Nations Council. We will be working on the rescheduling of this fixture and will communicate the date in due course.”

The news will come as a major blow to Gregor Townsend’s Scots, who fear they will be without 10 of their biggest stars if the game is moved to a date outside of the international window.

Scottish Rugby Union chief executive Mark Dodson declared on Wednesday that Townsend’s team were “ready to go”.

But before Townsend could even name his team for Sunday’s clash, it had been called off.

France were forced to suspend their training session on Thursday morning after the latest positive result came to light.

In a statement, the FFR said: “Following the RT-PCR tests carried out this Wednesday, February 24 in the evening, and the appearance of a positive case within the squad of players, the FFR medical committee met this morning and decided to suspend training this day.

“The entire group is in isolation in accordance with health protocol. The FFR is in close contact with the Six Nations committee.”

A string of France’s biggest names were forced to self-isolate earlier this week, including scrum-half and 2020 player of the championship Antoine Dupont and captain Charles Ollivon.

Les Bleus stand top the Six Nations table after two rounds following a comprehensive win against Italy and a narrow victory over Ireland, both away from home.

But concerns over this weekend’s clash going ahead emerged when flanker Ollivon, prop Cyril Baille, hooker Peato Mauvaka, lock Romain Taofifenua and full-back Brice Dulin became the latest members of Galthie’s squad to test positive on Monday.

Nine of the 23-man squad that beat Ireland 15-13 in their last game were since found to have contracted the virus.

In addition to positive tests produced by players, head coach Galthie is among members of France’s management team in self-isolation.

Next weekend has already been suggested as a possible back-up date for the match but Townsend is worried as many as 10 of his top performers – including Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell – will be barred from playing by their English and French club sides.

 

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