France v Scotland: Fresh doubts about match as French suspend training following new positive test

The game was given the green light on Wednesday after no positive tests were recorded on Monday and Tuesday.

However, today’s news is a huge setback and plunges the fixture into doubt once again.

Doubts initially surrounded the game after a coronavirus outbreak forced 10 of France’s players into quarantine, including star scrum-half and 2020 player of the championship Antoine Dupont and captain Charles Ollivon.

But two rounds of negative tests in 48 hours encouraged Six Nations organisers that the game go ahead.

Scotland are due to name their team on Thursday afternoon.

A statement from the French rugby federation (FFR) said: “Following the RT-PCR tests carried out this Wednesday, February 24 in the evening and the appearance of a positive case within the squad of players, the FFR Medical Committee met this morning and decided to suspend training.

“The entire group is in isolation according to health protocol. The FFR is in close contact with the Six Nations Committee.”

Scotland want the game to go ahead this weekend because they fear they would be forced to do without several of their top players if the game was postponed until next week.

The weekend of March 6-7 falls outside the international window and English clubs would not be obliged to release their Scottish internationals.

Key Scotland players such as Stuart Hogg, Jonny Gray, James Lang and Chris Harris play in England.

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