At the beginning of the week, the Scottish press had qualified the succession of cases of Covid within the XV of France of “French farce” (French farce).
The pressure had faded a little with the removal of the specter of a postponement of the France-Scotland match scheduled for Sunday.
And then patatras.
After two days of calm, the cold shower fell with the announcement of a new case this Thursday - probably the Rochelais Uini Atonio - proof that the virus had indeed taken place in the workforce of the team of France.
The Six Nations Committee, organizer of the eponymous Tournament, had no other choice but to agree this Thursday morning to the opinion of its experts gathered within the monitoring group of the Six Nations (Tog) and postpone the shock of the third day.
Without setting a new date.
The news was, as might be expected, little appreciated in Scotland.
"Although we fully accept the decision of the test monitoring group (of the organizing committee) to recommend the postponement of our match against France for medical reasons, it is disappointing not to be able to play this match on Sunday", affirmed the coach Greg Townsend, quoted in a statement from the Scottish Federation.
Scotland does not want a postponement to the weekend of 6-7 March
Anticipating a possible postponement of the meeting, the Scottish federation had expressed reservations earlier in the week on the choice of the weekend of March 6-7.
On this date important matches in the Celtic League or in the English league are scheduled.
For Townsend, the prospect of not having his best people was unthinkable.
The technician recognized it, he wants to benefit from his best players in order to be able to evolve "at the same level as we would have had this weekend".
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After wishing "a good recovery to the players and the management affected by the Covid", the former Scottish international passed by Brive and Castres allowed himself a small remark.
“Throughout this tournament and, previously, during the Fall Nations Cup, we have worked hard to maintain strict Covid protocols which have allowed us to select our strongest teams possible for these important international meetings.
It is implied that France has not been able to do the same.