What if the worst danger of the XV of France in the Six Nations Tournament was finally the Covid-19?
Six days before the France-Scotland match, the French Rugby Federation announced Monday, February 22 that five new Blues players had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Toulouse's Cyril Baille and Peato Mauvaka, Toulonnais Romain Taofifenua and Charles Ollivon, as well as Rochelais Brice Dulin will therefore not be able to face Scotland on Sunday February 28.
Their positive screening brings to fourteen the number of confirmed cases of Covid within the selection and management, after the coach, Fabien Galthié, the scrum half Antoine Dupont or the pillar Mohamed Haouas.
Two members of the management are also considered suspicious cases, adds the FFR.
📣 Press release following the evolution of the health situation of #XVdeFrance 👇
- France Rugby (@FranceRugby) February 22, 2021
Hooker Gaëtan Barlot (0 selection, Castres Olympique), pillar Thierry Paiva (0 selection, Union Bordeaux Bègles), second row Cyril Cazeaux (0 selection, Union Bordeaux Bègles), third row Baptiste Pesenti (2 selections, Section Paloise ) and the back Thomas Ramos (14 caps, Stade Toulousain) were called in as reinforcements.
"With a view to isolation, the return to the homes of the players and members of the management concerned is underway," said the press release from the Federation.
"The return to collective training is set for Wednesday, February 24, subject to the results of tests carried out every 24 hours," said the body.
Leader of the Six Nations Tournament, after two successes in Italy (50 to 10), then in Ireland (15 to 13), the XV of France must receive Scotland at the Stade de France, before going to England on 13 March, then face Wales the following week.
With AFP
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