Paris (AFP)
A new player of the XV of France, whose identity has not been specified, has tested positive for Covid-19, announced the French Rugby Federation (FFR) which has decided to suspend training scheduled for Thursday.
"Following the RT-PCR tests carried out this Wednesday, February 24 in the evening and the appearance of a positive case within the squad of players, the FFR medical committee met this morning and decided to suspend training today, "said the FFR in a statement.
Since the start of last week, the XV of France has recorded sixteen positive cases for the coronavirus in total, twelve players and four members of the management including the coach Fabien Galthié.
The XV of France must face Scotland on Sunday (4:00 p.m.) at the Stade de France as part of the third day of the Six Nations Tournament.
On Wednesday, the organizing committee kept the match on schedule in the absence of a new positive case during the two previous rounds of tests carried out on Monday and Tuesday evenings.
"The entire group is in isolation in accordance with health protocol. The FFR is in close contact with the Six Nations Committee," said the FFR on Thursday in a statement.
Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu on Wednesday asked the president of the rugby federation (FFR) Bernard Laporte to launch an investigation after the fifteen cases of Covid-19 which hit the French team despite the bubble imposed during the Tournament.
The minister also asked the Ministry of Health "in order to understand how the chain of contaminations was formed" within the XV of France.
The investigation must be submitted within eight days.
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