The Covid-19 virus is spreading like an insidious disease among the ranks of the XV of France.
The French Rugby Federation announced on Sunday that hooker Julien Marchand (Stade Toulousain) and three-quarter center Arthur Vincent (Montpellier) were also positive.
These cases are added to the three already listed, Antoine Dupont (Toulouse), Mohamed Haouas (Montpellier) and Gabin Villière (Toulon).
The latter are already forfeited for the France-Scotland match on February 28 at the Stade de France (4 p.m.), the third match of the Six Nations Tournament 2021. A match for which the Blues are not preparing in the best possible way. conditions.
In total, taking into account the staff, the France group has nine positive cases, including the coach in person Fabien Galthié and two of his assistants, Karim Ghezal, responsible for the touch, and William Servat, in charge of forwards.
In this context, a list of 31 players was communicated this Sunday in which new faces necessarily appear.
To replace the essential Antoine Dupont, Fabien Galthié, who will lead his troops from a distance this week due to his isolation, will call on his understudy, the Toulonnais Baptiste Serin.
Sébastien Bézy (Clermont) is for his part called.
In the center, Jonathan Danty (Stade Français) and Yoram Moefana (Bordeaux), impressive this fall for his first appearances with the Blues, supplement the package of Arthur Vincent.
The nugget of Racing 92, winger Donovan Taofifenua, finds the Blues without having yet been able to honor his first cape.
His teammates in the sky and white, the pillars Hassane Kolingar and Teddy Baubigny, also join the group.
Here is the list of the 31 players summoned to the #XVdeFrance group from tonight in Marcoussis to prepare for the match against Scotland!
Following additional tests carried out yesterday, Julien Marchand and Arthur Vincent tested positive for Covid-19. # NeFaisonsXV
- France Rugby (@FranceRugby) February 21, 2021
However, you have to be careful.
The list of 31 players is likely to change at the rate of the spread of the virus since new tests will be carried out this Sunday.