LAST UPDATE | 16 Feb 2021
FRANCE HEAD COACH Fabien Galthié has tested positive for Covid-19 following Sunday’s Six Nations victory over Ireland in Dublin.
Galthié’s positive test follows an earlier confirmed case of Covid-19 in an unnamed member of France’s backroom staff after testing at the team’s training base in Marcoussis on Monday evening.
Galthié returned a “suspicious and unproven” result in that first round of testing but a re-test today has confirmed him as positive for Covid-19.
The French Rugby Federation said that Galthié and the other staff member started isolating last night and will do so for seven days. Neither of them has reported any symptoms to date.
All players within the French squad returned negative tests yesterday and will undergo fresh testing tomorrow, Friday, and Sunday.
“Additional tests will be carried out with the entire France group on Wednesday at the National Training Centre,” said the FFR. “Tests will be carried out at home on Friday, as well as on Sunday evening at the National Rugby Center.”
Galthié is due to announce his 31-man squad to face Scotland on Wednesday evening.
The IRFU confirmed on Tuesday morning that there have been no positive tests among the Ireland players or backroom staff following Sunday’s defeat.
“All members of the Ireland squad and backroom team undertook routine PCR testing on Monday producing no positive results,” a statement said.
“The group will undergo further routine testing again this week as per our protocols.”
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Even when on the bench he didn’t get game time. The coach doesn’t like or trust him. Saturday once again showed just how wrong O’connor has been all season
O’Connor is just all wrong for Leinster.
He has a very big chance next season with Leinster during the World Cup, midfield won’t be as competitive so he should get a good run of matches.
Mark if Darcy doesn’t make the World Cup squad, he’ll play 12 with t’eo at 13. Then Madigan and sexton will be back so the midfield won’t be as easy to get into as you may think
That pop pass from O’Brien
Battle between him and Madigan for the 12 jersey next season.
It’s always to easy to see who coaches ‘just like/don’t like’. When Gopperth played badly it was ignored whereas when Madigan played mediocre or even if Reid played well decisions went against them.
It creates such a poisonous culture as some players start to feel entitled to spots and others feel it doesn’t matter how well they play they won’t get picked. Cody and Fergusson were masters at disregarding players identities and judging on match performance alone. MOC is such a stink manager.