15th day of Top 14: Toulon in the grip of a wave of positive COVID 19 cases, more than 25 within his club has already announced via its president Bernard Lemaître, that he will not play Sunday at 6 p.m. in Mayol. The match initially scheduled for Saturday was shifted in time, to allow some players to be able to return to the club in time for this meeting.
But whatever the decision of the national rugby league, which should be decided in the coming hours, thehe president of the RCT believes that he does not wish to endanger his young first lines against the internationals of La Rochelle. Stade Rochelais announces to him that he is also sailing in cloudy water in relation to the virus. According to manager Ronan O’Gara, in a video press conference this Thursday, “There are now between 10 and 15 positive cases at Stade Rochelais, but we are preparing for this match, as best we can.”
Stade Rochelais players are tested every morning to prevent the virus from spreading
“There are rules to follow“ he adds ” It is the national rugby league that has to decide whether a match is played or not, not to a club president. We fight every day, to have a limited number of cases within our club, we are even going to carry out tests every morning at the moment to be in the nails. Yes for me, we play Sunday, we are preparing for that! “
The League which has just changed its protocol at the beginning of the week. The LNR requires the club to play the match if there are at least 23 players available, including hopes, 23 players including 15 professionals, and at least 6 front lines. Toulon has already two games postponed: the trip to Montpellier last weekend, and the meeting against the UBB of Christophe Urios.