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The XV Women of France will travel to Dublin to complete the final match of 2020 Six female nations after it emerged that isolation requirements for elite athletes returning to Ireland had put the match in jeopardy.
The Irish government’s guide for elite and high-performance athletes and teams, traveling back to Ireland from a country that is not on the Green Travel List, is to restrict their movements for 14 days, in addition to sports activities such as train and compete. The France Women’s XV can travel to and from Ireland without restrictions, as the French government does not require you to isolate yourself upon return to the country.
This is not a problem for the Men’s National Team, who, as full-time professionals, remain within a strict high-performance bubble upon their return from away games. However, as the members of the Women’s National Team are amateurs, many of them cannot commit to isolating themselves for 14 days after returning from the match, if it takes place in France, as they understandably have responsibilities to their families and employers. , some of which belong to the teaching and medical communities.
The IRFU, fully appreciating the players’ commitments, had discussed, over the past weeks, the implications of the travel guide with Sport Ireland and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media to explore whether a repeal of the guidelines. it was possible as players are operating in a highly controlled high performance ‘bubble’. This week it was confirmed that no such exception to the guidelines could be granted. IRFU fully understood and accepts this decision.
Executive Director of IRFU, Philip Browne, said: “We are very grateful to the French Federation and its Women’s Team for this magnificent act of solidarity with the Irish Women’s Team and the IRFU. Experiencing such generosity of spirit is uplifting and goes to the very heart of the sport of Rugby and the Six Nations.
“Over the past weeks, we have been in regular contact with Sport Ireland and the Return to Sport Expert Group regarding a possible derogation for the Women’s National Team from established guidelines. With Ireland entering a Level 5 lockdown, we fully accept the decision not to grant a waiver of travel restrictions for elite amateur athletes.
“I wish to thank the French Federation and its Women’s Team on behalf of everyone involved in Irish Rugby for their decision. We now look forward to hosting the French Women’s XV and the match here in Dublin, and both teams can get back to Rugby. ”
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