Fabien Galthié will be able to count on 31 players, no more -

Colorsport / Andrew Cowie / SIPA

Agreement revised downward between the French Rugby Federation and the National Rugby League concerning the number of players Fabien Galthié will have for the Six Nations Tournament.

The group of the XV of France will be able to count up to 31 elements for the entirety of the competition, in order to adapt to the health context.

"The health situation linked to the Covid-19 pandemic requires new measures to be taken limiting the risks linked to the movements of players entering and leaving the group of the XV of France during the period of the 6 Nations Tournament", wrote the two authorities of the French rugby in a joint press release.

The previous agreement already obsolete

"At the request of the FFR, the FFR and the LNR have therefore agreed to provide a group which will be maintained at 31 players from the week of January 31 and for the whole of the period of the Tournament, ”continued FFR and LNR, specifying that they had signed a new amendment.

The previous amendment, signed on January 4, offered coach Fabien Galthié the possibility of soliciting up to 37 selectable players as well as 5 training partners.

From 42 players initially convened in Nice, for the training camp, the group was reduced Thursday to 28 players.

Avoid back and forth

Eight selectable players and the five "sparring-partners" have returned to their clubs.

The second line of La Rochelle Thomas Lavault had not been able to integrate the health bubble established in Nice, being positive for the coronavirus.

In principle, only three other players will be able to join the cocoon of the Blues after the Top 14 matches of the weekend.

But "adjustments will remain possible (...) especially in the event of injury to a selected player", indicate the two instances in the press release.

This new deal between the FFR and the LNR should make it possible to reduce the back and forth of the players between the XV of France and the clubs, in order to limit the risks of contamination.

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