France's scrum half Antoine Dupont (C) looks on during a training session in Marcoussis, south of Paris, on February 11, 2021, as part of the preparation of the Six Nations rugby union match between France and Irland.

(Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) -

AFP

And to think that we believed that the VI Nations were going to escape us because of the coronavirus… Yes but no.

The French Rugby Federation said Wednesday that no case of Covid-19 has been detected among the players of the XV of France following the positive test of their coach Fabien Galthié.

"Following the additional PCR tests of the whole of the France group carried out Tuesday evening February 16, all the players are tested negative, which confirms the result of Monday February 15, said the FFR in a press release.

They will be able to return to their homes today (Wednesday) and are instructed to maintain their isolation ”.

The forward coach of the France team, William Servat, on the other hand, was diagnosed positive during additional tests carried out on Tuesday evening.

“This brings the number to three cases diagnosed positive for COVID-19 within the framework.

No symptoms have been observed to date, ”said the Federation.

New tests are planned

A new battery of tests will take place on Friday at home, as well as on Sunday evening when the players and staff return to the Marcoussis National Rugby Center after a few days of rest between the victory in Ireland on the second day of the Six Nations Tournament and the next match against Scotland, February 28 at the Stade de France.

Announced as a "suspicious and non-proven case" after a first series of tests on Monday, on his return from Ireland, coach Fabien Galthié underwent a new test on Tuesday morning which confirmed that he was positive.

He participated on Monday, by videoconference from Marcoussis, in the Oscars ceremony at the Midi Olympique, and we could see him for several minutes alongside scrum-half Antoine Dupont, without a mask, raising fears of a risk of contagion within the 'effective.

More fear than harm then, for the moment at least.

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