France game v Scotland postponed
PARIS: The Six Nations match between France and Scotland in Paris has been postponed due to the numerous coronavirus cases in the home squad, tournament organisers announced yesterday.
In a statement, organisers said that a new date for the fixture, which was due to take place at the Stade de France on Sunday, would be announced “in due course”.
On Wednesday, the game had been given the all-clear to go ahead despite France’s positive Covid-19 tests, but a 16th case was announced yesterday and the entire team was put into isolation.
The French Rugby Federation (FFR) did not name the latest player to contract the virus, but they were already without star scrum-half Antoine Dupont, captain Charles Ollivon and coach Fabien Galthie.
“The Six Nations testing oversight group met today to review the situation in the French camp. They unanimously recommended the postponement of the France v Scotland match,” the Six Nations said in a statement.
If the fixture is played next weekend, Scotland could be missing more than 10 players as they will have to return to their clubs in England and France.
Les Bleus, bidding to win the Six Nations title for the first time since 2010,
are sitting top of the table after beating Italy and Ireland in their opening two games.
Galthie’s side are ahead of secondplaced Wales, the only other team with a chance of completing the Grand Slam, on points difference.
Gregor Townsend’s Scotland sit fourth in the table, having followed their historic victory against England at Twickenham with a one-point home loss to Wales.
IRELAND REFRESH PACK
Ireland refreshed their pack for tomorrow’s Six Nations trip to Italy and welcomed Johnny Sexton back after the captain missed the loss to leaders France in a disappointing start to
the tournament.
Ronan Kelleher, who scored one of only two Irish tries in their opening two defeats, starts at hooker alongside fit-again Tadhg Furlong and Munster’s David Kilcoyne. Flanker Will Connors gets his first start this year after some impressive cameos.
Sexton and second row James Ryan have recovered from concussion and along with wing Jordan Larmour are the other changes to the side outplayed by France for much of the game as coach Andy Farrell resisted calls to blood some younger players.
Ireland lost 21-16 to Wales in their opener and 15-13 to France. While Italy lost against France and England.