FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthié and another unnamed member of the team’s backroom staff have tested positive to Covid, throwing the team’s preparation for next Sunday’s Six Nations round three clash against Scotland into disarray.
All the players in the squad returned negative results from the tests they undertook on Monday night and are no self-isolating in order to minimise the potential risk of spreading the virus.
Another round of testing will be conducted at France’s Marcoussis training base today and if that reveals a wider outbreak within the squad it will throw serious doubt over whether the Scotland match in Paris on Sunday week can go ahead as scheduled.
However, if all the players test negative, they will be allowed home given it is the first Six Nations rest week. They would then be tested at home on Friday as well as on Sunday when they reconvene at Marcoussis to prepare for the Scotland game.
"In accordance with current health protocol, the two members of the staff, whose isolation began last night, will continue to isolate themselves for seven days," said a statement from Fédération Française de Rugby [FFR]. "Their activities will continue to be carried out remotely. To date, no symptoms have been observed."
Ireland will also be keeping a very close eye on the situation given their recent exposure to the French team during Sunday’s 13-15 loss to Les Bleus in Dublin.
A statement by the Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] said: “All members of the Ireland squad and backroom team undertook routine PCR testing on Monday producing no positive results. The group will undergo further routine testing again this week as per our protocols.”
France currently top of the Six Nations table, ahead of Wales on points difference, having won both their games so far against Italy and Ireland.
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