The scene surprised, not to say amused, viewers of the meeting.
On Saturday February 6, the teams from France and Italy each sang their national anthem, as is customary, before the kick-off of the first match of this Six Nations rugby tournament.
But, contrary to what was required during the 2020 edition of the competition, no question of giving voice arm in arm.
The players kept a meter apart, spanning a good part of the pitch at Stadio Olimpico in line.
A provision that fans of the Blues will see again this Sunday, February 14 for the shock in Ireland (4 p.m.) and in all matches of the Tournament.
Similar scenes took place during England - Scotland and Wales - Ireland the previous weekend.
And are linked to the Covid-19 protocol set up for the 2021 edition of the competition.
The Irish also had to keep a meter of distance during their anthem against Wales.
AFP / Geoff Caddick
It requires teams to practice social distancing during hymns to limit interactions as much as possible.
A confusing rule, because each selection lives in a health bubble where players undergo Covid tests.
And that those concerned then abolish any physical barrier during the meeting.
Lads make sure you socially distance before you proceed to essentially exchange bodily fluids into each other's mouths #safteyfirst
- John Barclay (@ johnbarc86) October 23, 2020
"Guys, be sure to social distancing before moving on to swapping body fluid in each other's mouths," quipped on Twitter this fall, after the practice had already been put in place on several international matches, ex-Scotland team captain John Barclay.
In England it's two meters
"It's quite special, knowing that we play after 80 minutes against each other ... But we do it and we adapt if we have to do that to play rugby", launches the third line of the Blues, Dylan Cretin.
“It's a shame, because it is normally an intense moment in emotion, where we can get closer between us, continues the French back Brice Dulin.
But we do with it.
"
Small subtlety, explained by the organizing committee of the Six Nations Tournament at Le Parisien - Today in France, the distance adopted for matches in England is two meters.
A special case, adopted because of "local regulations", as the committee justifies us.
Social distancing has not always been the same in every part of the UK since the start of the epidemic.
France, for its part, adopted the two-meter rule for its citizens in January.
Between the English and the Scottish, two meters apart.
Reuters / Andrew Boyers
“Social distancing during the anthem is part of the team's and the Tournament's goal to minimize risk as much as possible,” said the English Rugby Federation.
A spread on the lawn of Twickenham which had indirect consequences on February 7 against Scotland.
Only four players of the Chardon XV imitated the English, the majority of the workforce on one knee on the ground during the minute of silence dedicated to the fight against racism.
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“We were spread out over 50 meters during the anthem.
Huw Jones was on the try line and Stuart Hogg on the midfielder, explained Scotland coach Gregor Townsend.
Half the squad didn't even realize that some of their teammates and the English were kneeling.
"