[ad_1]
The entire Racing 92 team and backroom staff have been placed in immediate isolation at home after nine positive tests for coronavirus plunged preparations for the Champions Cup final against Exeter into confusion.
The club is implementing a series of emergency measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 ahead of its showdown with the Chiefs in Bristol on October 17.
In addition to sending all players, management and support staff to quarantine, the Parisians’ training center will be closed for a minimum of five days to undergo a “complete decontamination of the site.”
New tests will be held next week and the results will dictate when individual and team training can resume, according to a statement released by Racing, which has not revealed the identities of the nine.
Close
Irish duo Donnacha Ryan, left, and Simon Zebo are isolated from the rest of the Racing 92 staff as their Champions Cup final against Exeter Chiefs is in doubt. Photo by Brendan Moran / Sportsfile
SPORTS ARCHIVE
Saturday’s Top 14 league game against La Rochelle has been postponed, but the hope is that they can start their match against Toulouse a week later before taking on Exeter at Ashton Gate.
Although there is no indication that the Champions Cup final is threatened, if more positive tests were returned next week, the EPCR tournament organizers would consider activating their two-step resolution process a week earlier.
First, a game evaluation panel made up of a medical advisory group would judge whether the game is safe to continue. If the answer is no, then a match resolution panel would be convened.
It’s the same process that led to the cancellation of the Leicester Challenge Cup quarter-finals against Castres last month after three players and a French visitor staff member tested positive. That decision was made 24 hours before the start of the match.
Three positive tests among the playing team trigger an automatic postponement in the Top 14, but that rule does not apply to European action.
Even if Racing reports good health next week, the disruption is a major setback as the great French heavyweights attempt to win their first Champions Cup title after finishing runners-up twice.
“EPCR has taken note of the announcement of several positive tests for Covid-19 in Racing 92 and sends its best wishes to the club and each person affected,” read a statement issued by the tournament organizers.
“EPCR will follow its complete and robust protocols regarding the Heineken Champions Cup final on October 17 and will remain in contact with Racing 92, Exeter Chiefs and the French league at all times.”
Exeter boss Rob Baxter insists the news is a reminder of the disruption that Covid-19 can cause.
“It’s something that we’ll have to consider, but the reality is that it’s something we don’t want to think too much about,” Baxter said.
“It could be nine players outside of your first team roster, or four of them could be staff members and the others train normally as a group.
“We continually tell the players that what they do outside the club is the most important thing.
“When you show up at the club, and I know I have to be a little careful here, it is practically impossible to catch Covid on the premises because everyone here is being screened regularly.
“If someone tests positive, they isolate him immediately. Everyone checks his health and temperature every day.
“The reality is that Covid only comes in if someone brings it, so the important thing is what you do off-site and we constantly remind players of that.
“Because, as we have seen, any little mishap can create a big problem.”
Online editors
[ad_2]