Six Nations 2021: Marchand and Vincent swell France's COVID-19 cases to nine
Daniel Lewis
February 21, 2021 13:39 MYT
February 21, 2021 13:39 MYT
Julien Marchand and Arthur Vincent have become the latest France players to test positive for coronavirus.
The French Rugby Federation (FFR) announced Toulouse hooker Marchand and Montpellier centre Vincent had been omitted from the 31-man squad to face Scotland next weekend.
It takes the overall number of COVID-19 cases from the Six Nations leaders' camp to nine, with prop Mohamed Haouas, wing Gabin Villiere and scrum-half Antoine Dupont also sidelined.
Head coach Fabien Galthie, assistant Karim Ghezal, forwards coach William Servat and another unnamed member of support staff have also tested positive.
As a result, there are six new additions to the squad as Les Bleus aim to make it three wins out of three.
Voici la liste des 31 joueurs convoqués dans le groupe #XVdeFrance à partir de ce soir à Marcoussis afin de préparer le match contre l'Écosse ! Suite à des tests complémentaires réalisés hier, Julien Marchand et Arthur Vincent ont été testés positifs à la Covid-19. #NeFaisonsXV — France Rugby (@FranceRugby) February 21, 2021
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Racing 92 hooker Teddy Baubigny fills the void left by Marchand, with Demba Bamba offering cover at prop.
Maxime Lucu comes in as another option at scrum-half, while centres Yoram Moefana and Jonathan Danty, along with Baubigny's club-mate Donovan Taofifenua, bolster the depleted backs.