PARIS: France’s opening Autumn Nations Cup match against Fiji on Sunday has been canceled following a COVID-19 outbreak within the visitors’ squad.
The French rugby federation said Friday that the game, in the Brittany city of Vannes, wont be rescheduled.
The inaugural tournament was launched after the pandemic prevented major teams from the Southern Hemisphere from playing the traditional autumn tests. The event involves the Six Nations tournament teams plus Fiji and Georgia.
The decision comes after additional COVID-19 tests were carried out on the Fiji squad following a positive test received on Tuesday,” tournament organizers said in a separate statement. These tests have resulted in another four positive cases affecting close contacts as well.”
The French federation said all its players and staff members tested negative.
Tournament organizers will meet Monday to decide on the result of the match.
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