Six Nations green light for France after Covid rules clarification

France will take part in the Guinness Six Nations as scheduled after sports minister Roxana Maracineanu announced the easing of quarantine rules for participating teams.

The French government was seeking clarity from tournament organisers before agreeing that teams arriving into Paris from noneu destinations, or Les Bleus facing England at Twickenham on March 13, would not be subject to quarantine restrictions. Scotland are due to play at the Stade de France on February 28.

The Six Nations had drawn up contingency plans in the event the green light was not given, but the competition will now proceed as planned due to the introduction of tightened coronavirus safety measures.

“It was a decision everyone in rugby was awaiting. The FFR (French Rugby Federation) submitted to us a rigorous, strict protocol, which was then submitted to the health authorities,” Maracineanu told the France 2 television channel.

“The decision has been taken within government to ensure that the Six Nations championship is held on the scheduled dates, starting February 6, with a bio-secure bubble, as was the case with the Tour de France.”

Among the enhanced protocols brought in for the tournament is the introduction of an additional round of testing for each team, the second taking place in the latter part of the week.

Maracineanu revealed that the reason players have been granted exemption from quarantine is because they will be “tested every three days and remain in a closed bubble”.

France have limited the size of their squad to 31 players, while England have set a ceiling of 28 for the entire Championship. Scotland have named a 35-man squad.

Amid concerns over crossborder travel, the French government blocked their Top 14 clubs from competing in Europe last month, raising the prospect of disruption to the Six Nations if Paris declined to soften its position.

Trips to European Union destinations Italy and Ireland had been given clearance, but the visit to England and the arrival of Scotland and Wales at the Stade de France were the stumbling blocks.

Ireland forwards coach Paul O'connell admits it is a major blow to lose the "X-factor" qualities of Caelan Doris on the eve of the Guinness Six Nations.

Leinster backrow Doris burst on to the international scene in 2020 and was tipped to shine in the forthcoming tournament after arguably being his country's standout performer in the Autumn Nations Cup.

But the 22-year-old has been ruled out of Sunday's opener away to Wales after returning to his province with concussion symptoms, while a neck issue has also deprived head coach Andy Farrell of Connacht lock Quinn Roux.

O'connell does not know the extent of either problem but feels exercising caution was the only option.

"They are two injuries you don't ever want to be messing around with. You have to be careful," said O'connell.

"I am not sure we know length of time on either of them. It's frustrating for them and frustrating for us.

"Caelan is obviously a fantastic player. I worked with him in the Under-20s and he was incredible.

"He has that X-factor and we need those players in world rugby."

Munster backrow Gavin Coombes and Leinster lock Ryan Baird have been called up as replacements.