France squad back in isolation after new Covid case

Eleven Les Bleus players have now been infected in the past week as well as head coach Fabien Galthie

France have suspended training (AFP via Getty Images)

France have been forced to suspend training following a new Covid-19 case within their squad ahead of Sunday’s Six Nations match against Scotland.

After a 48-hour window of deliberation, the Six Nations announced that the match would go ahead as planned yesterday, despite 10 Les Bleus players having already recorded positive test results.

It remains to be seen whether the latest positive case will jeopardise the match, with France’s entire squad now gone back in isolation ahead of further testing. The French Rugby Federation said it is in “close contact” with the Six Nations committee.

“Following the RT-PCR tests carried out this Wednesday, 24 February in the evening 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,” a statement read.

France, who have beaten Italy and Ireland thus far, resumed training on Wednesday after the outbreak within their squad, with the new positive case discovered during testing in the evening.

France were already set to be without head coach Fabien Galthie, who has been conducting training sessions remotely, captain Charles Ollivon and star scrum-half Antoine Dupont.

“We continue to monitor the situation very closely and are in regular contact with both unions,” a Six Nations statement read yesterday when confirming the match will go ahead.

Scotland may be left at a huge disadvantage if the match is postponed, with around 10 players from Gregor Townsend’s squad set to return to their clubs due to World Rugby player release regulations.