English clubs and Welsh franchises refuse to comply with the health rule currently in force in France, which imposes 48 hours of isolation for all travelers coming from the United Kingdom.

According to various media, including the Times, the English and Welsh leaders would demand a derogation so as not to submit to this isolation, before the third day of the European Cup and European Challenge scheduled for this weekend.

On the side of the EPCR, the governing body of European rugby competitions, we are playing the card of appeasement.

"The EPCR continues to work with the National Rugby League (LNR) to improve the conditions that currently apply to British clubs when traveling to France, and to French clubs returning from the UK", she told AFP.

"If the 48-hour isolation period is maintained for Matchday 3 matches, clubs will be allowed to train during this period, provided Covid-19 protocols are followed," the EPCR added.

According to a government source, the 48-hour isolation rule imposed on British citizens upon arrival in France should be suspended, with the virus circulating as much in France as in the United Kingdom.

This question of quarantine has been discussed for several days while at the same time the vaccination pass will soon come into force in France, which will apply to French and foreign players playing in France.

"Our subject is part of the broader decisions concerning the borders with the United Kingdom. The decisions will be formalized and announced in the coming days but we are moving towards relaxation", moreover explained, for his part, the Ministry of Sports to AFP.

The third day of the European Cup is scheduled for January 14-16.

Several matches are concerned since the English of Bath (in La Rochelle) or Sale (against Clermont) and the Welsh Scarlets (against Bordeaux-Bègles) must go to France.

While on behalf of the European Challenge, Newcastle are supposed to go to Biarritz on Friday evening.

A year ago, French clubs had already threatened a boycott because of the disparity between the protocol put in place in the Top 14 and that established across the Channel.

This season, the second day of the continental competitions had already been truncated by several matches: Paris had indeed reinstated the obligation of "compelling reasons" for travelers from and to the United Kingdom, in the face of "the extremely rapid diffusion of the Omicron variant ".

© 2022 AFP