Paris (AFP)

Hard blow for the Blues.

After coach Fabien Galthié, the scrum half of the XV of France Antoine Dupont tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday, ten days before the match against Scotland in the Six Nations Tournament.

Earlier in the week, the FFR had already explained that three members of the Blues management had also tested positive, including Fabien Galthié and forward coach William Servat.

Eleven other tests, also carried out on Friday on the players summoned to prepare for the match against Scotland, on February 28, are negative: captain Charles Ollivon, center Arthur Vincent, front lines Dorian Aldegheri, Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka and Cyril Baille, the second lines Paul Willemse and Romain Taofifenua, the third line Dylan Cretin and the three-quarters Anthony Bouthier and Louis Carbonel.

The results of the 19 other players in the group of 31 are expected shortly.

Dupont, "will remain in isolation for the next few days," said the Federation, which adds that the player is asymptomatic.

Undisputed holder, the Toulouse (24 years, 29 selections) could however be back in time to challenge the XV of Chardon since the extension of the quarantine period, which must pass from seven to ten days, will only be effective from Monday.

"After seven days of isolation, it's a sporting decision," says one on the side of the FFR.

On condition of being negative during the next test.

In the event of bad news, he could be replaced by Toulonnais Baptiste Serin (26 years old, 40 caps) rather than by Clermontois Sébastien Bézy (29 years old, 8 caps), the two other N.9 summoned to prepare for the meeting in Marcoussis (Essonne) from Sunday.

- Ollivon negative -

The players were also released on Wednesday evening and will not return to CNR until Sunday, where they will be tested again.

As for the Six Nations, we are not very worried and the organizers are in contact with the FFR.

No player of the XV of Ireland is also positive for Covid-19 after tests carried out on Monday and Wednesday, assured coach Andy Farrell.

On the French side, the players of the French rugby sevens team have withdrawn from the Madrid resumption tournament, scheduled for this weekend, due to several cases within the workforce.

The septists had joined those of the XV of France for some training, including that of last Thursday, at high intensity before the trip to Ireland.

But the health protocol was respected, according to Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu.

"There were indeed matches with the VII of France. It was completely within the protocol that had been proposed to us since there was the possibility of getting out of the bubble by being very careful. The players also went to their families (from Wednesday to Sunday, Editor's note) ", estimated the minister on Friday morning on France Info.

"It was all part of the protocol with an expanded bubble to people who are tested regularly and who are under very strict health protocols," she added.

The Blues remain on two away successes, in Italy (50-10) then in Ireland (15-13).

After Scotland, the XV of France must go to England on March 13, before receiving Wales the following week.

The road to a first Grand Slam since 2010 promises to be complicated.

© 2021 AFP