FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthié and another unnamed member of the team’s backroom staff have tested positive to Covid, throwing the team’s preparation for next Sunday’s Six Nations round three clash against Scotland into disarray.
All the players in the squad returned negative results from the tests they undertook on Monday night and are no self-isolating in order to minimise the potential risk of spreading the virus.
Another round of testing will be conducted at France’s Marcoussis training base today and if that reveals a wider outbreak within the squad it will throw serious doubt over whether the Scotland match in Paris on Sunday week can go ahead as scheduled.
However, if all the players test negative, they will be allowed home given it is the first Six Nations rest week. They would then be tested at home on Friday as well as on Sunday when they reconvene at Marcoussis to prepare for the Scotland game.
"In accordance with current health protocol, the two members of the staff, whose isolation began last night, will continue to isolate themselves for seven days," said a statement from Fédération Française de Rugby [FFR]. "Their activities will continue to be carried out remotely. To date, no symptoms have been observed."
Ireland will also be keeping a very close eye on the situation given their recent exposure to the French team during Sunday’s 13-15 loss to Les Bleus in Dublin.
A statement by the Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] said: “All members of the Ireland squad and backroom team undertook routine PCR testing on Monday producing no positive results. The group will undergo further routine testing again this week as per our protocols.”
France currently top of the Six Nations table, ahead of Wales on points difference, having won both their games so far against Italy and Ireland.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here