Scotland’s Six Nations clash with France will take place as planned in Paris this weekend after the Stade de France showdown had been thrown into major doubt by a COVID-19 outbreak in Les Bleus squad.
After a fresh round of negative test results, France have now been given the go ahead to host Gregor Townsend’s squad, the tournament organisers announced on Wednesday.
The news will come as a relief to the Scottish Rugby Union, who feared they would be forced to do without 10 of Townsend’s top stars if the game was postponed until next week.
France’s outbreak has forced a number of their top stars into quarantine, including star halfback and 2020 player of the championship Antoine Dupont and captain Charles Ollivon.
But the French Rugby Federation confirmed the latest round of tests has returned no further positive cases.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
And no there is no game!
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Aagh ....you went and said it! :shocked: I'd just like to see them use all 15 blokes on the pitch. That would be nice.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Well, they miss a few starters via regular injuries, don't they? Crunch Test for both Scotland and France. If Scotland wanna mix it with the big boys on a regular basis, they need to take opportunities like this. And if France navigates a safe win with so many key players out, they really will tell the world; we are a top three side. I think England will smash Wales. Just watch, mate.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Agree that's not necessarily a bad thing for the French, but more like 9 players from the 23 that faced Ireland missing than 10 starters? Dupont is a big miss for them. After their near perfect storm against England and then the disappointing visit of Wales, you have to feel the pressure just doubled on Scotland after that French squad reduction. Another false dawn for the Scots looming? Few would have picked Wales also being two from two at this point, so England's visit there this weekend sets up two fascinating fixtures. Love this tournament.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
France being forced to play their wider squad players from time to time due to greedy clubs and pandemics is probably gonna benefit them long term in a big way. Even with ten starters out I still back France to win this Test.