DAVID SOLE
Is it? Isn’t it? This weekend has been somewhat thrown into disarray with the outbreak of Covid-19 in the French rugby camp.
Even with 10 players being infected with the virus, the game was still due to be played in Paris today, but when an 11th tested positive, it was deemed too much and the game was duly called off for now.
The contingency was that the match would be played next weekend instead, which the Scots were not happy about.
Had the game been shifted back a week, many of the English-based Scottish internationals might not have been released by their clubs, which would have meant that Gregor Townsend would have been in a similar to position to a Covid-blighted French team.
That possibility appears to have faded, given that the whole of the French squad are now self-isolating and would not have been available.
The tournament organisers have said that a new match date will be announced in due course and it seems like a number of possibilities are being suggested, including the option of a midweek game.
A further possibility would be that the game is played after the conclusion of the regular tournament calendar, which would again bring up the issue of player release of around 10 Scottish players.
‘ Such indecision seems only to impact Scotland
Such indecision seems only to impact Scotland and France seem to be calling the shots on this, which isn’t surprising.
The French hold a greater sway in rugby governance terms and in influence with World Rugby, particularly after the rather embarrassing spat that took place at the last Rugby World Cup, which ended up with the SRU incurring a large fine after Mark Dodson’s remarks.
But to force Scotland to play when they might be severely disadvantaged seems incredibly unfair, particularly as the Scots are the innocent party.
How Covid broke into the French bubble is under scrutiny. There have already been precedents set in the European Cup competitions where sides who have fallen foul of the virus have to concede games 28-0.
There are a number of people suggesting that if French players broke bio-security protocols, then they should be subject to a similar fate – leaving Scotland with a bonus point away win.
Everyone wants to see the match take place, however. If it doesn’t, it deprives Scottish players the opportunity to press for Lions places – and there must be a few Scottish names pencilled in to make the trip already.
Proving themselves away from home would only reinforce their cases. We shall have to wait and see what the authorities come up with.
One silver-lining might be that if they postpone it beyond four weeks, then Zander Fagerson may yet get to play. Perhaps that might be appropriate justice for the prop.