Six Nations urged to award Scotland walkover
The Six Nations has been called on to hand Scotland a 28-0 victory over France following the news that the French head coach, Fabien Galthie, left the team’s secure bubble to watch his son play before testing positive for Covid-19.
Former Scotland wing Kenny Logan said that France deserved to forfeit last Sunday’s postponed fixture after Galthie broke protocols by leaving the team following their 50-10 victory over Italy last month, and he believes they should also face a hefty fine for his actions since 16 members of the French squad and backroom staff subsequently tested positive.
With the entire France squad forced to isolate after the latest positive last Thursday, Sunday’s match in Paris was called off. March 26 has been pencilled in as a new date, but Scotland would likely be without their Premiership and France-based players due to World Rugby’s selection regulations.
“I would like to see Scotland play France, of course I would, but it’s difficult to see how that can happen without Scotland losing key players and being at a huge disadvantage,” said Logan. “If that’s not possible then France should forfeit the match 28-0 as happened in the autumn internationals. “What has happened has damaged the integrity of the tournament and the whole thing is a complete shambles. It’s also unfair on Scotland, who are being treated like an afterthought.” Galthie’s job is not under threat after Bernard Laporte, president of the French Rugby Federation [FFR], gave him his full backing yesterday, but the union is facing calls for an independent investigation into the outbreak.
“For me, he has the right to leave from the moment he is masked. He was outside,” said Laporte.
However, the issue of fairness is key to Logan’s belief that the onus should be on France to come up with a solution that ensures that if Scotland are forced to play the postponed fixture, they do so with a full complement of players.
“This is all France’s fault and it’s incredible that they seem to be trying to call the shots,” added Logan. “You have a coach telling people to stay in yet not thinking twice about breaking the rules. They have put themselves in this position so they should certainly not benefit and should have to deal with the consequences.”
The explanation for the dogged determination to find a new date is, he believes, down to money. But then so, too, is the solution.
“The problem is that the TV companies understandably want the game to go ahead or they want their money back,” he said. “My solution would be to fine France the exact amount of the broadcasting revenue, and then use that money to pay the TV companies. That would be harsh on France, but they made this mess and it’s their responsibility to clear it up.”