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The game of the Top 14 weekend between 1st and 3rd has been called off
By Online Editors
This Saturday's scheduled Top 14 match between La Rochelle and Racing in Paris has become the latest game in the French league to fall victim to the pandemic. The match between first and third was set to be the game of the weekend. However, a press release on Friday has confirmed the fixtures will not be going ahead as planned at the La Defence Arena.
The La Rochelle statement read: "Following the detection of a positive case for Covid-19 within the workforce and the manifestation of doubtful symptoms in two players who tested negative, it was decided jointly with the LNR to retest the entire professional team this morning (Friday).
"Pending the results, the whole squad will be placed in isolation and the team will therefore not be able to travel today for tomorrow's game. The LNR will decide on the management of the organisation of this fixture during the day."
As it stands, it is not impossible that the game will be postponed to Sunday, or even Monday provided that the results of the new tests passed by the La Rochelle players are negative.
Both clubs are due to play Heineken Champions Cup fixtures on Sunday week. La Rochelle are due to travel to Bath while Racing will host Harlequins in Paris.
La Rochelle's December fixture against the Premiership club was cancelled due to an outbreak at the English club. That resulted in the French side, coached by Ronan O'Gara, being awarded all five match points as Bath were deemed at fault for the call off.
La Rochelle, who won their other European game with a 13-8 win at Edinburgh, currently lead the way in the Top 14, sitting three points clear of Racing with Toulouse sandwiched between them in second place. They defeated Racing 9-6 when the teams met in November at Stade Marcel Deflandre.
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Latest Comments
True, they need to tackle better, but also Scotland put them under a lot of pressure and 90% of that pressure came from basic errors. Like missing your kick offs, clearing kicks only going 5-10meters. Missing lineout jumpers on the throw etc.
Go to commentsBorthwick was the only person to have stayed with Eddie jones after most left .
So yes man comes to mind and not someone who is a strong character with a vision .
He picked the backroom staff and players and made the decisions to replace players at the crucial moments in the game that transpired to be fatally wrong . He resorted to safety first approach at the death .
Marcus has had to adapt to three no 9,s . Spencer should never have been dropped, as it proved to be .
Fin Smith should have been in the 23 and certainly not Ford .
A clear out is way past time and I do hope Borthwick can see this .
Ugo is rightfully annoyed at the utter wastefulness of the England set up .
We should not be talking like this but enjoying englands success .
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