LAST UPDATE | 16 Feb 2021
FRANCE HEAD COACH Fabien Galthié has tested positive for Covid-19 following Sunday’s Six Nations victory over Ireland in Dublin.
Galthié’s positive test follows an earlier confirmed case of Covid-19 in an unnamed member of France’s backroom staff after testing at the team’s training base in Marcoussis on Monday evening.
Galthié returned a “suspicious and unproven” result in that first round of testing but a re-test today has confirmed him as positive for Covid-19.
The French Rugby Federation said that Galthié and the other staff member started isolating last night and will do so for seven days. Neither of them has reported any symptoms to date.
All players within the French squad returned negative tests yesterday and will undergo fresh testing tomorrow, Friday, and Sunday.
“Additional tests will be carried out with the entire France group on Wednesday at the National Training Centre,” said the FFR. “Tests will be carried out at home on Friday, as well as on Sunday evening at the National Rugby Center.”
Galthié is due to announce his 31-man squad to face Scotland on Wednesday evening.
The IRFU confirmed on Tuesday morning that there have been no positive tests among the Ireland players or backroom staff following Sunday’s defeat.
“All members of the Ireland squad and backroom team undertook routine PCR testing on Monday producing no positive results,” a statement said.
“The group will undergo further routine testing again this week as per our protocols.”
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