WOMEN’S CLASH OFF AGAIN

SCOTLAND Women’s clash with Wales in Cardiff this Sunday has been postponed for a second time after one of the Scottish players tested positive for coronavirus yesterday. The initial Six Nations match was called off for the same reason in March when a Scotland player contracted Covid. And it has emerged that four women had already withdrawn from the Scotland squad this week following the 13-13 draw with France at Scotstoun last Sunday. They were identified as ‘close contacts’ with four members of the France team who have since tested positive in their homeland. France’s match with Ireland in Dublin on Sunday has also been postponed.

An SRU statement read: ‘Six Nations has postponed this weekend’s Wales v Scotland Women’s Six Nations match at Cardiff City Stadium. ‘This decision has been taken as a result of a Scotland player returning a positive test for coronavirus today. The player is asymptomatic and is doing well. ‘The positive case was identified through the team’s stringent screening and testing protocol and the player started self-isolation immediately as per Scottish Government guidelines. No further players or management are required to self-isolate. ‘Scotland Women can also confirm four players were withdrawn from the squad earlier this week. The group were identified as “close contacts” with members of the France team they played against on Sunday October 25 and who have since tested positive for Covid-19 in France. ‘The four identified players did not reconvene in camp this week. The decision was made in consultation with Public Health Scotland and was supported by Scottish Rugby’s Threat Management Group. ‘Scottish Rugby will continue to monitor the situation and support all relevant individuals, while continuing to work with the Scottish Government and relevant local health boards. To respect medical confidentiality Scotland Women will not name the individuals affected.’