COVID THREAT TO SIX NATIONS

French Government set to ban games with UK teams

THIS year’s Six Nations is facing fresh uncertainty, with the French Government poised to impose a travel ban which will extend to cross-border elite sport.

The French Sports Ministry has already recommended the postponement of all games against British clubs amid the rapidly worsening Covid crisis.

Glasgow Warriors are scheduled to be playing away against Lyon next Saturday in the Heineken Champions Cup, with Edinburgh travelling to La Rochelle the following weekend.

It now seems highly unlikely those games will go ahead, with the Six Nations also being plunged into fresh doubt over the uncertainty around France’s participation.

Six Nations chiefs remain confident the tournament will take place, with a spokesperson saying: ‘We are planning to hold the Championship as scheduled in each country with Covid-19 protocols that have been reinforced from the October/ November period that saw the successful conclusion of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations and the Autumn Nations Cup.’

France have already introduced a UK travel ban, which could now extend to elite sport and prohibit their teams from facing British sides.

Showdown talks will be held tomorrow between French clubs and their national government, the outcome of which is likely to see games being called off.

French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu has indicated that measures are likely to be introduced which will stop matches from going ahead as Covid rates soar out of control.

‘This was in accordance with the wishes expressed by several professional French rugby clubs over the last few days,’ said the Ministry in a statement.

A Sports Ministry spokesman told The Mail on Sunday: ‘There will also be talks on Monday with clubs involved in all sporting events with British clubs in the coming weeks. Schedules with be reviewed.’

The Sports Ministry added that it would set up a specific meeting on the Six Nations championship at the beginning of next week, without saying who would take part.

The Six Nations is scheduled to begin on February 6, with France travelling to Rome to face Italy and Scotland facing England at Twickenham.