Covid casts a shadow as Blues win
LEINSTER’S victory over Ulster last night may be the last chance for their players to impress Ireland head coach Andy Farrell ahead of the Six Nations, with the European Champions Cup on the brink as the French sides consider withdrawing due to concerns over a new strain of Covid-19.
Representatives from European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) and the French Top14 clubs engaged in talks with French government officials on Thursday.
The tournament organisers will receive a decision today regarding the participation of French clubs in rounds 3 and 4 of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, which are set to begin next weekend.
The French government was understood to be alarmed when Bayonne players tested positive for the ‘UK strain’ of the virus following their Challenge Cup encounter with Leicester Tigers in December.
Earlier this week, French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced that a travel ban between the UK and France will remain in place ‘until further notice’, casting fresh doubt on the resumption of European action next week as
well as the Six Nations next month. Leinster’s clash with Northampton in Franklin’s Gardens is already in doubt after an outbreak of Covid-19 in the Premiership side’s camp last week and it remains to be seen if French authorities decide to pull the plug and withdraw their teams. ‘EPCR and the LNR participated in a meeting by video conference yesterday (Thursday) with representatives of the French government (Ministries of the Interior, Health and Sport, as well as the President’s Office),’ read an EPCR statement. ‘The objective of the meeting was to present the revised Covid-19 protocol for the fixtures in Rounds 3 and 4 of the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup. ‘EPCR expects to receive a decision from the French authorities shortly.’ Meanwhile, Johnny Sexton hailed Leinster’s display after the province bounced back from last weekend’s loss to Connacht with a commanding victory over Ulster in the RDS. Leinster now trail their provincial rivals by just five points with two games in hand in Conference A. ‘It was a very important win for the team,’ said the Leinster captain. ‘We know how important it was in terms of the league table. We wanted to put in a big performance, getting the four tries was a big bonus and denying Ulster a bonus point in the process ‘It’s in our hands. We’re going to lose a lot of players to international duty so it’s up to the players who stay back to pick up the mantle.’