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.
Cyril Baille, Peato Mauvaka, Romain Taofifenua and Brice Dulin are also all out of contention to play the Scots in Paris.
Teddy Thomas and Gael Fickou of France celebrate after they defeated Ireland.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 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.”
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.
Also out of contention due to a positive test is the red hot Antoine Dupont, who on the most recent episode of House of Rugby was hailed as the best number nine in the world by former All Blacks star and Dupont’s current Toulouse teammate, Jerome Kaino.
“I think he’s the best nine in the world. Aaron Smith is up there, but Antoine just brings that little bit extra.” 🔥
Is Antoine Dupont the best rugby player on the planet? His Toulouse teammate – former All Black @jeromekaino – certainly thinks so 👑 pic.twitter.com/yG4zpsrxqD— RugbyJOE (@RugbyJOE_UK) February 17, 2021
