Total Rugby
Your essential 12-page 12 guide to the he Autumn Au Nations Cup up
The opening weekend of the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup was plunged into chaos yesterday when France’s clash with Fiji was called off because six of the Pacific Islanders’ s quad re t urned positive Covid-19 tests.
Four Fiji players tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday, following another two positives earlier in the week. It left competition organisers with no option but to call off the game – due to be held in Vannes, north- west France – with the crowded schedule allowing no opportunity for it to be rearranged.
Organisers will meet on Monday to decide how points will be awarded. One option is that France will receive an automatic 28-0 victory, which would put them in a strong position in Group B without playing a minute. The match could also be ruled a draw.
There will be concerns that Fiji’s next match against Italy on Nov 21 could also be in doubt, with another cancellation risking the tournament’s pool stage being rendered a farce. Organisers said Fiji’s squad will undergo further tests in the coming days and suggested “it is premature to have any views on the staging of [the Italy] match”.
Ben Morel, chief executive of Six Nations Rugby, the tournament organiser, said: “This was a difficult and disappointing decision, but it was the only possible outcome following today’s test results. The welfare of our players and their support teams remain our No 1 priority. We have a rigorous testing programme in place. In this instance, it is impossible for the Fijians to field a competitive team and we have no other option but to cancel. I want to thank the Fijian and French unions for their collaboration and wish the impacted athletes a speedy recovery.”
Fiji went ahead with naming their side earlier yesterday, despite awaiting the latest round of coronavirus test results, with Bristol Bears’ Semi Radradra notably absent from the line-up. Leicester’s Nemani Nadolo and Kini Murimurivalu, along with London Irish forward Albert Tuisue and Northampton Saints hooker Sam Matavesi, were all included in the match-day 23 to take on France.
Fiji were set to play their first fixture since last year’s World Cup and their first under new head coach Vern Cotter, the former Scotland head coach who has joined after leaving Top 14 side Montpellier.