1
REPORT: Five France players now ruled out as two more test positive
By Ian Cameron
Two more French players have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing to five the total number of players that will be out of action for their Scotland Six Nations fixture this weekend.
According to the BBC hooker Julien Marchand and centre Arthur Vincent have also now tested positive, although French Rugby have not officially confirmed it on their website or their social media platforms.
Prop Mohammed Haouas, winger Gabin Villiére and star scrumhalf Antoine Dupont have already tested positive, while head coach Fabien Galthie and a member of staff are also in isolation after failing RT-PCR tests.
Jean-Baptiste Gros and Swan Rebbadj are also now in isolation having been adjudged to be 'close contacts' of those infected. Meanwhile, France have named a 31-man squad ahead of the Scotland game in Paris.
French Rugby have implied that the outbreak could have stemmed from a 'bubble' training with the France Sevens team, although the facts 'remain unproven'. France XVs trained with the Sevens, who entered their isolation bubble after testing clear for the virus, on February 10 and 11th.
"Despite all the precautions taken, following an RT-PCR test on Saturday, February 13, a player from France 7 tested positive for Covid-19. He was immediately placed in isolation in accordance with health protocol.
"In view of the appearance of this positive case, the Medical Committee of the FFR then met to address the question of the qualification or not of certain players of the XV of France in " case-contact " of this player of France 7 On medical criteria, it was decided that this scenario did not trigger the designation of the players of the XV of France as a "contact case".
"In view of the current investigations, the hypothesis of contamination of the XV of France by a player of France 7 is uncertain and is not proven."
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Ex-Scotland captain and British & Irish Lions star Laidlaw dies
3
Exeter Chiefs confirm latest Heaven sent arrival
4
Ex-Leicester Tigers CEO points out obvious choice for next head coach
5
Latest Comments
1) Not sure but if the stand down period was say 5 years would he have ever played for them in the first place? Tonga did nothing towards his development, he’s never lived in the country.
2) It’s a mix at the moment. As you know Tonga and Samoa have always been made up largely of NZ born and/or raised players. It’s always been the case that the islands are the second option for NZ players who don’t quite make the ABs.
3) No it should be much longer, same as the residency rules should be longer than 5 years too. Would stop a fully fledged professional from one country representing another.
Go to commentsI can't wait, it's gonna be a cracker!
Go to comments