“We were a little afraid that the coronavirus would cancel everything. We followed the news well this week, but we saw that nothing was moving. And so here we are. »Checkered beret on the head and stuffed man between the thighs, Sébastien tries to keep his seriousness among his friends. The group of friends, crossed after the security excavations at the entrance to Murrayfield, is one of 10,000 French who came to push the Blues this Sunday in Edinburgh. And no question that the virus, including 16 of the 206 cases known Saturday in the United Kingdom are identified in Scotland, does not spoil the fun.
In Murrayfield, the Scottish Federation has taken several steps to stem a possible spread. Information panels on what to do or not to do are displayed at the stadium entrances, a medical team is ready to isolate any suspected cases and bottles of hydroalcoholic gel are available in the toilets. "We didn't tie them with a chain. I hope no one is going to want to leave with, ”smiles a member of security.
"Anyway, we risk catching it given how it spreads in France, launch François, Bertrand and Pierre, arrived Friday to encourage Charles Ollivon and his partners in their quest for the Grand Slam. So whether in Scotland or elsewhere, it does not change much. We are not afraid of the coronavirus, we mainly come to see rugby and the French continue their momentum. They no longer come as expiatory victims like in other years. We believe there. "
"We bought the tickets eight months ago, we are very happy that they did not decide to cancel everything at the last minute", continue Claire and Sébastien, who arrived on Tuesday to take advantage of the charms of the north of the United Kingdom and just as convinced that the men of Fabien Galthié will continue their winning streak in the Tournament.
"Here we are, they will no longer cancel everything"
A little further, Caroline and Benjamin, Toulousains who discover the Scottish enclosure, choose what they will eat before the match. "I looked on the Internet all week to make sure we weren't going to be stranded," said the 34-year-old. Well, since we're here, they're not going to cancel everything anymore. So, now, I check rather if no French are injured for the match. "
“What matters is that we win today, says Lucie, 29, a supporter from Paris. And above all, that they do not put the last match against Ireland behind closed doors. These are the first two rugby games that I have seen in my life, I want it to end in an atmosphere of madness for the Grand Slam! "