At last. After two failed attempts, the Cardiff team was finally able to fly this Friday morning from Cape Town to Dublin. Where they will take a connection for England, Wales refusing to welcome them for their ten-day isolation. On the plane, 42 people, players and staff, tested negative five days in a row. 42 out of 48. Six members of the group, declared positive, must continue their quarantine in a hotel in Cape Town.
“
What makes me really uncomfortable and the biggest thing that upsets me is coming home and leaving people here,” said Dai Young.
As the director of rugby this is the biggest thing that I struggle to deal with.
If it was an injury, one or two of us would definitely stay here, but we are not allowed to do so under these circumstances.
It annoys me…
”
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And now ? Next Saturday, at 2 p.m., Cardiff is supposed to launch its European campaign by hosting the defending champion Stade Toulousain. With what workforce? The 28 players in quarantine will not be available. But Blues leaders say a team will be there at kick-off. "
We will do everything in our power to honor these meetings
," Dai Young promises.
The team will be made up of internationals who did not come with us to South Africa and some of our best players from the Academy
(the Espoirs, Editor's note).
I'm confident. They will wear this jersey with pride. But we need the support of the Cardiff public.
"
“I know the boys will want to do this for their quarantined teammates.
"
Dai Young, Director of Cardiff Rugby
If scrum-half Tomos Williams, center Willis Halaholo and winger Josh Adams, exempt from the South African trip, will be present to supervise the young guard, it may however be insufficient to nourish the hope of a victory against the champions of France.
"
I know the boys will want to do it for their teammates in quarantine
, replied the director of Rugby.
We will watch them from our rooms.
And it will be a real boost if Arms Park is crowded.
Our supporters will support the boys.
But also those of us who will still be in isolation.
"
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The EPCR, which organizes European competitions, ruled out the option of postponing this meeting on Thursday, "for
lack of dates available
".
While encouraging the teams concerned by this South African journey - the Irish province of Munster, the Welsh Scarlets and the Zebra of Parma - to appear on the field to avoid the sanction of a cancellation: game lost 28 to 0 in favor of the opponent.