Six Nations: Italy-France maintained, the Sports Ministry awaits guarantees for other matches

French rugby has been strongly impacted in recent days by the Covid-19.

The next two days of the European Cup have been postponed - at least until the beginning of February - at the request of the Ministry of Sports and, this Tuesday, the Rochelais Stadium was heavily hit with 15 cases of Coronavirus (five among the professional workforce, ten cases among the Espoirs).

The question of whether the next Six Nations Tournament, which is due to start in early February, will be maintained is urgently being asked, as the health crisis has worsened in the United Kingdom and Ireland with the appearance of a variant of the more contagious coronavirus. . 

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XV of France: 37 players, executives and some surprises despite the uncertainties about the Tournament

This Tuesday, the Minister of Sports, Roxana Maracineanu, demanded more health guarantees for the travel of the players of the XV of France in Ireland and England on the occasion of the flagship competition of the northern hemisphere (February 6-March 20 ).

Without there being any concerns for the first match of the Blues against Italy, in Rome.

“The first game against Italy shouldn't be a problem,” said Roxana Maracineanu. 

On the other hand, the minister insisted that "the two other following trips, against Ireland (February 14) and England (March 13), there we must have the necessary guarantees from the teams in face to be sure of what we are doing, in human and financial terms, to allow our national teams to be nickel.

We expect the same from the other teams ”. 

"We must be able to provide proof that other nations in terms of health respect the same requirement in terms of precaution"

Roxana maracineanu

Tuesday morning, a technical meeting took place between the supervisory ministry and the French Rugby Federation to discuss the organization and the health protocol envisaged for the 2021 Tournament. “We maintain the first match.

On the other hand, against Ireland and England, it is absolutely essential that we obtain the necessary guarantees, ”said the minister.

And to add: "We must be able to give proof that other nations in terms of health respect the same requirement in terms of precaution."

The ministry asked that it be sent the detailed protocol made mandatory by the Six Nations Committee for all participating selections, specifies

RMC Sport

, so that a presentation can be made to the interministerial crisis center and to the French health authorities.

The Ministry of Sports - which would like the men's, women's and under 20 editions to be maintained - reserves the right to modify the calendar for the U20 and women's competitions, in order to preserve the health of the athletes and staffs.

Some argue for the establishment of a "health bubble" - as was done in particular in the NBA and for the final phase of the last Champions League in football - so that Fabien Galthié and his group of 37 players unveiled Monday can compete in the centenary competition. 

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