France have suspended training before Sunday’s Six Nations game against Scotland following another positive Covid-19 test among their playing squad.
The fixture at the Stade de France had been thrown into doubt on Monday following an outbreak among France players and management. Six Nations officials gave the go-ahead for it to take place on Wednesday but the latest developments inevitably puts the fixture in jeopardy again. Fabien Galthié’s entire squad is now self-isolating, as is the head coach along with members of his coaching team.
“Following the RT-PCR tests carried out this Wednesday, and the appearance of a positive case within the squad of players, the FFR medical committee met this morning and decided to suspend training this day. The entire group is in isolation in accordance with health protocol,” read a statement from the French Rugby Federation. “The FFR is in close contact with the Six Nations committee.”
Sunday’s game was placed under threat when flanker Ollivon, prop Cyril Baille, hooker Peato Mauvaka, lock Romain Taofifenua and full-back Brice Dulin became the latest members of the squad to test positive.
“It’s always hard to know the origin [of the outbreak],” the FFR president, Bernard Laporte, told France Info radio on Thursday, before the latest case was announced. “I would like to know. Of course it is something that worries me. I would like if someone is at fault, or not. We are going to investigate this ourselves to see how we got there.”
Les Bleus top the Six Nations table following a comprehensive win against Italy and a narrow victory over Ireland, both away from home.