France versus Scotland off ... again

BREAKING NEWS: The on-again-off-again France versus Scotland match has been postponed.

The Round Three Six Nations match, originally scheduled for this weekend, has been postponed due to the numerous COVID-19 cases in the home squad, tournament organisers announced on Thursday.

In a statement, organisers said that a new date for the fixture, which was due to take place at the Stade de France on Sunday, would be announced "in due course".

The Six Nations match was postponed after an 11th French player tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

"The Six Nations testing oversight group met today [Thursday] to review the situation in the French camp. They unanimously recommended the postponement of the France v Scotland match," the Six Nations said in a statement.

"We will be working on the rescheduling of this fixture and will communicate the date in due course."

The game was given the go-ahead on Wednesday despite 10 France players - including captain Charles Ollivon and star scrumhalf Antoine Dupont - testing positive for COVID-19 in checks over the past week.

An 11th player, as yet unnamed, then tested positive following another round of checks late on Wednesday, prompting training to be suspended on Thursday and the French squad to go back into isolation.

The decision to postpone the game now puts Scotland in a difficult position, especially if it is rearranged for next week.

Scottish Rugby said this week that such a rearrangement could leave the team without 10 players because those based in England and France will be released back to their clubs for domestic duty under World Rugby's player-release regulations.

The rest week for the tournament lies outside of World Rugby's designated international window.

France leads the Six Nations after away wins over Italy and Ireland.

Scotland has one win and one loss.

Sources: AAP & AFP