ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

France cleared for Six Nations as it's announced players will be tested every three days

BY Grant Constable  ·  Tuesday Feb 2, 2021

France have been cleared to take part in the Guinness Six Nations after their sports minister announced the easing of quarantine rules for participating teams. 

ADVERTISEMENT

The French government was seeking clarity from tournament organisers before agreeing that sides arriving into Paris from non-EU destinations, or Les Bleus facing England at Twickenham on March 13, would not be subject to quarantine restrictions.

The Six Nations had drawn up contingency plans in the event the green light was not given, but the competition will now proceed as planned due to the introduction of tightened coronavirus safety measures.

“It was a decision everyone in rugby was awaiting. The FFR (French Rugby Federation) submitted to us a rigorous, strict protocol, which was then submitted to the health authorities,” sports minister Roxana Maracineanu told the France 2 television channel.

“The decision has been taken within government to ensure that the Six Nations championship is held on the scheduled dates, starting February 6, with a bio-secure bubble, as was the case with the Tour de France.”

Among the enhanced protocols brought in for the tournament is the introduction of an additional round of testing for each team, the second taking place in the latter part of the week.

Maracineanu revealed that the reason players have been granted exemption from quarantine is because they will be “tested every three days and remain in a closed bubble”.

ADVERTISEMENT

France have limited the size of their squad to 31 players, while England have set a ceiling of 28 for the entire Championship.

Concerns over cross-border travel saw the French government block their Top 14 clubs from competing in Europe last month, raising the prospect of disruption to the Six Nations if Paris declined to soften its position.

Trips to European Union destinations Italy and Ireland had been given clearance, but the visit to England and the arrival of Scotland and Wales at the Stade de France were the stumbling blocks.

RELATED VIEWING:

ADVERTISEMENT
Video Spacer

Related Articles

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    Former Edinburgh coach Cockerill blasts Scottish...

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Bielle-Biarrey & Penaud stunning long-range...

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    Springbok star leaves Ulster Rugby following...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 8 HOURS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 8 HOURS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

View All