The Champions Cup starts in eleven days.
By a clash between the Saints of Northampton and Racing 92. The next day, Saturday December 11 at 2 pm, Cardiff is to welcome the reigning European champion, Stade Toulousain.
A meeting that should not take place, at least not on this date.
It remains to be seen whether the EPCR, organizer of European competitions, will opt for a postponement or for a cancellation, with a match won for the champions of France?
It is still too early to say it, the body headed by the Celts not always applying its regulations to the letter, especially when they are favorable to a French club (RC Toulon case law…).
Read alsoChampions Cup calendar
If the EPCR has not yet officially communicated, neither on the calendar, nor on its decision, one can however assume that this match against the Welsh club will not be able to be held on December 11.
No more, on December 12, than that between Wasps and Munster.
Why this certainty?
Irish Sports Minister Jack Chambers announced on Monday that almost all of the Irish province's workforce, tested positive, has been allowed to leave South Africa to return to Ireland.
Only two members - a positive Covid-19 case and close contact - are forced to stay in Cape Town, where they have been placed in solitary confinement at another hotel.
“Munster is now authorized to travel.
"
Jack Chambers, Irish Minister for Sports
"
46 of the 48 people involved are now authorized to travel and discussions are underway to find a return route for those who have tested negative,
" the minister told Irish national television station RTE. Taking care to add that they will have to isolate themselves "
for ten days
" when they return home. “
Work continues with all relevant authorities to ensure our return to Ireland at a safe and appropriate time. But, for now, our priority is to take care of our players and our staff,
”added Munstermen head coach Johann van Graan in a statement.
Let's recap. They need to find a plane, so at least another 24 hours (at best, flights from South Africa have not been legion for a few days, only essential trips being allowed to many European countries), plus ten days of isolation. We're coming to… December 11th. Either the day before their match against the Wasps. With a truncated preparation. And an opponent necessarily a bit worried when facing a team that has been plagued with Covid-19, and perhaps its variant Omicron five times more contagious.
If we apply the same tally to the Welsh - knowing that there is still no official communication regarding the Cardiff team, one of whom is suspected of being positive for the Omicron variant - we do not see how they could play their meeting on December 11, the day (at best) of their release from quarantine.
And not certain, there either, that the Toulousans will be starting without the slightest hesitation to go to Wales in this period of pandemic resurgence ...
Read also Rugby: Welsh and Irish clubs facing quarantine in South Africa
The Italian team of Zebre (Parma) and the Scarlets (Wales) were able to return to their country on Sunday.
In the flight that Munster and Cardiff should also have taken.
Before being stranded in Cape Town after the detection of positive cases in their ranks.