• Scotland demand France game should go ahead

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    Scottish Rugby has demanded their match against France in Paris should go ahead despite 10 players in the French squad testing positive for Covid-19.

    France are scheduled to host Scotland at the Stade de France in a crucial Six Nations clash on Sunday, but the fixture is under threat as Charles Ollivon (captain), Antoine Dupont, Brice Dulin, Cyril Baille, Romain Taofifenua, Peato Mauvaka, Arthur Vincent, Julien Marchand, Gabin Villiere and Mohamed Haouas all returned postive Covid-19 tests earlier in the week.

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    Since then, Six Nations organisers have said that their Testing Oversight Group reviewed the situation and would reconvene on Wednesday to make a call on whether the game will go ahead or not.

    ‘Should the decision be that the fixture cannot go ahead, the match will be rescheduled for the earliest possible date,’ organisers said in a statement.

    However, in a separate statement released on Tuesday night, Scottish Rugby said its national team ‘are continuing their preparations to play France in Paris on Sunday’ because the postponement of the fixture will not suit them as it will impact player availability.

    ‘Scotland’s national team are continuing their preparations to play France in Paris on Sunday. Our players, coaches and fans hope the game can go ahead as planned in the existing tournament schedule.

    ‘Any postponement will have an impact on the player release agreement in place with clubs, which could see more than 10 Scotland players unavailable for selection if the game is rearranged.

    ‘We will be working closely with our Six Nations counterparts to press the case for this week’s game to go ahead, should it be medically safe to do so.’

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    Photo: David Davies/PA Images/Getty Images

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    SA Rugby magazine