Top 14 : Racing 92 – Pau et Toulon
After new tests on Friday, the League’s Covid-19 expertise commission decided to postpone the two meetings of the 13th day
The threat had been hovering since Wednesday and the announcement of numerous cases of Covid-19 in the workforce of Racing 92 (9) and Union Bordeaux-Bègles (6). It materialized on Friday evening after a second battery of tests within the clubs and the appearance of contaminated players in the Section Paloise as well: the Racing 92 – Pau and Toulon – Union Bordeaux-Bègles matches counting for the 13th day of the Top 14 and originally scheduled for Monday, have been postponed.
After examining the results of the tests carried out on Friday, the Covid-19 expert committee recommended to the competitions committee the report of these two meetings. If the League press release did not specify the number of infected players, this decision means that the dynamics of contamination could not be controlled.
The three affected clubs cannot resume training until the middle of next week. No doubt in small groups.
These two reports are the first of a season so far spared by the pandemic at the level of the Top 14. Last week, it was the second day of the European Cups that had been affected. Considering the speed at which the Omicron variant spreads, it would be surprising if the progress of the French championship was not disrupted.
As the calendar is overloaded, few dates are available. Both matches should be postponed until at least February, during the Six Nations Tournament.