France's opening Autumn Nations Cup match in Vannes has been called off after a spate of coronavirus cases among opponents Fiji.
On Saturday (NZ time), the French federation and the Six Nations said that the outcome of the game, which it said cannot be rescheduled, would be decided by the Six Nations committee.
Fiji Rugby said on Friday that one of their players - captain Semi Radradra - had tested positive but the Six Nations added that additional tests had "resulted in another four positive cases affecting close contacts as well."
Last week, six cases last week within the Fiji team forced the cancellation of a warm-up match against Portugal.
"This was a difficult and disappointing decision, but it was the only possible outcome following today's test results," says Six Nations chief executive Ben Morel.
"Whilst we've all been eagerly awaiting this match, the welfare of our players and their support teams remain our number one priority."
Fiji's remaining three matches in the tournament could be at risk.
They are scheduled to play Italy on November 22 and Scotland seven days later, before a final-round game against Pool A opponents in December.
"The Autumn Nations Cup organisers are working closely with the Fiji Rugby Union to take all necessary measures to mitigate the impact of the outbreak and to ensure that preparations can resume on time for Fiji's next match against Italy," says Morel.
"It is premature to have any views on the staging of this match prior to a further series of tests which are due to take place in the coming days."
The Autumn Nations Cup was created to replace the November tests after the international schedule was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
All of the French players have tested negative for the coronavirus, according to the French federation.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah tests positive for COVID-19
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has tested positive for coronavirus while on international duty with Egypt.
On Saturday, the Egyptian Football Federation said that Salah, 28, returned a positive test but is not displaying any symptoms.
Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah has tested positive for the coronavirus on the eve of Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Togo, the Egyptian Football Association said on Friday.
"The medical swab conducted on the mission of our first national football team showed that our international player, Mohamed Salah, the Liverpool star, was infected with the Coronavirus, after his test came back positive," says the Egyptian Football Federation.
"The player does not suffer from any symptoms. The other members of the team tested negative. Salah underwent the medical protocol after the team's doctor coordinated with his English club.
"In addition to his isolation inside his room and also isolating all his contacts."
The federation said he will undergo further checks in the coming hours.
Salah's positive test is another blow for Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp, who is already facing a defensive crisis with the loss of centre backs Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, potentially for the remainder of the season.
Added to that the absence of the versatile Fabinho and right back Trent Alexander-Arnold to less severe injuries, and Klopp's options are shrinking for the visit of Premier League leaders Leicester City to Anfield next weekend.
He will likely start up front with Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and in-form new signing Diogo Jota, who has scored seven goals in 11 appearances in all competitions since his arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers in September.
But the loss of Salah, who is joint leading scorer in the league this season with eight goals, eats further into Liverpool's squad depth that is being tested to the limit. Klopp will be hoping the remainder of the international window provides no more bad news.
Salah is also the fourth Liverpool first-team player to test positive for coronavirus this season, following Thiago in September and then Sadio Mane and Xherdan Shaqiri in October
Reuters
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