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Confirmed: France boss Galthie tests positive for Covid-19
By Liam Heagney
French officials have confirmed that Fabien Galthie has tested positive for Covid-19 and must isolate for a period of seven days, disrupting his preparations ahead of the Guinness Six Nations round three France match versus Scotland on February 28.
Galthie guided his team to their second away victory in consecutive weekends when they picked off Ireland in Dublin last Sunday just eight days after they had comfortably beaten Italy in Rome. That Aviva Stadium success put the French on top of the Six Nations table – ahead of Wales on points difference - heading into their next match.
However, the French have returned from Dublin without a clean bill of health as the situation with Galthie and another staff member has impacted the camp currently taking place at Marcoussis.
A Tuesday afternoon statement from the French rugby federation read: "France rugby team coach Fabien Galthie has tested positive for Covid-19 today. This diagnosis was established following a test this morning in the verification of a PCR test carried out the day before.
"During this test, the France group tested negative with the exception of two members of the management, including Fabien Galthie. In accordance with the health protocol in force, the two members of the management, whose isolation began last night [Monday], will continue to isolate themselves for seven days. Their activities will continue to be carried out remotely. To date, no symptoms have been observed.
"An additional test, carried out on Wednesday morning at the National Rugby Centre, will be carried out with the entire France group. Tests will be carried out at home on Friday, as well as on Sunday evening at the National Rugby Centre. The announcement of the 31 players for the match against Scotland will come this Wednesday, February 17."
A statement earlier on Tuesday by the French on the developing situation had stated: “In accordance with health protocol, all team members and management were isolated this morning. Interactions are kept to a minimum."
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Latest Comments
My ‘fantasy’ team V Ireland,
Including options from ABXV if needed, as V Mun better V Ireland better prep than England.
The most important aspect V Ireland is AB need ALL their loosies AND 'loosie capable locks' on ALL match [except IF(?) any tiring ie the aging & slowing eg Cane]. As follows,
{starting} bench (3rd choice)
1 {De Groot} / Tu’ungafasi (Williams)
2 { anyone that can throw!! }/ Aumua (Brodie McAlister)
Ryan! coach lineouts & Aumua to throw!
3 {Lomax}/ Tosi (Newell )
Tosi immense strength V England
4,5 Locks { P.Tuipulotu, S.Barrett }, Vaa’i, Darry
( Isaia Walker-Leawere)
Vaa’i off V Eng. Assumed due to leg injury(?)
6,7,8 Loose forwards { Sititi, A.Savea, Cane } Vaa’i, S.Barrettm, P.Tuipulotu back up (Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi )
9 {Roigard } Ratima ( TJ )
10 {D.McK} Perofeta ( Plummer)
12 {J.Barrett } ALB ( Q.Tupaea )
13 {Proctor} Ioane ( AJ Lam )
Ioane (off V England ) but Irish experience (NO not Sexton!)
14 { Tele’a} Reece (bkup W.Jordan )
11 {C.Clarke} Narawa (K.Naholo)
15 {W.Jordan} Love (Stevenson)
Go to commentsI guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
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