The XV of France should barricade itself even more.
According to information from the Midi Olympique, the French Rugby Federation wants to strengthen the health bubble around the XV of France and limit the group to 31 players for the entire Six Nations Tournament, which must begin for the Blues with a trip to Italy February 6.
According to our information, the FFR and the National Rugby League, which represents the international clubs, are to discuss the subject during a meeting at 2.15pm on Thursday.
Several points remain to be discussed, but an agreement is on the right track.
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In preparation camp in Nice since Monday, Fabien Galthié's men must, according to the agreement between the League and the Federation, prepare for 37 players, reinforced by five elements to make up the number in training.
But this system has the drawback of increasing the number of trips back and forth between the clubs and the XV of France.
On Wednesday, the second line of La Rochelle Thomas Lavault announced that he had not been able to integrate the health bubble in Nice after having tested positive for Covid-19 again.
A tournament still in the dark
The idea would therefore be to limit the French group to 31 players for the entire competition.
Thursday morning, the FFR announced that eight players from the group would be made available to their club for the Top 14 matches this weekend: Hassane Kolingar (Racing 92), Killian Geraci (Lyon), François Cros (Toulouse), Selevasio Tolofua (Toulouse), Baptiste Couilloud (Lyon), Julien Delbouis (Stade Français), Donovan Taofifenua (Racing 92), Vincent Rattez (Montpellier).
Only three of them could then return to Nice on Sunday or Monday.
A number that could drop to two if the third row Grégory Alldritt, forfeit at first, rejoins the group.
In addition, the participation of the XV of France in the Six Nations Tournament remains unclear and linked to the green light from the government.
The Interministerial Crisis Council must look into the subject in the coming hours.