French Covid crisis as Charles Ollivon and four more test positive

There are now 10 players out of contention for this Sunday's game.

France are leading the Six Nations standings after two rounds, but they are without several players for their upcoming game with Scotland. Five new cases of Covid-19 have affected the French squad including captain Charles Ollivon, the French Federation has announced. Ollivon, Cyril Baille, Peato Mauvaka, Romain Taofifenua and Brice Dulin are out of contention to play the Scots in Paris. [caption id="attachment_224463" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Teddy Thomas and Gael Fickou of France celebrate after they defeated Ireland. (Photo by Brian Lawless - Getty Images)[/caption] Their positive tests takes to 14 the number in the squad and coaching staff, including Fabien Galthie, with two other members of the backroom staff considered suspicious. Already out of the Scotland game are Antoine Dupont, Arthur Vincent, Julien Marchand, Gabin Villière and Mohamed Haouas.

"With regards to isolating those players and coaching staff concerned are returning home at the moment," the FFR added in their statement. "The return to training for those remaining is still planned for Wednesday but conditional on the results of the tests carried out every 24 hours."

On House of Rugby, former Ireland international Fergus McFadden commented, "It will be a huge blow for them, and you also don't know how many close contacts of those guys will be affected as well... it's very disappointing for the French, who were flying, but it's just what the Scots need after being beaten by Wales." Hooker Gaëtan Barlot (uncapped, Castres Olympique), prop Thierry Paiva (uncapped, Union Bordeaux Bègles), lock Cyril Cazeaux (uncapped, Union Bordeaux Bègles), back row Baptiste Pesenti (2 caps, Pau) and full-back Thomas Ramos (14 caps, Stade Toulousain) have been called up to replace those affected.

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