France scrum-half Antoine Dupont a doubt for Scotland match after testing positive for coronavirus

France have suffered another major blow ahead of their Six Nations clash with Scotland with the news that their star scrum-half Antoine Dupont has joined head coach Fabien Galthie in testing positive for coronavirus.
France scrum-half Antoine Dupont has tested positive for Covid-19. Picture: Brian Lawless/AFP via Getty ImagesFrance scrum-half Antoine Dupont has tested positive for Covid-19. Picture: Brian Lawless/AFP via Getty Images
France scrum-half Antoine Dupont has tested positive for Covid-19. Picture: Brian Lawless/AFP via Getty Images

The Championship favourites face renewed disruption to preparations for their round three clash with Gregor Townsend’s side on Sunday week after their most influential player became a major doubt for the Paris showdown.

Dupont’s positive – the fourth to hit the French team following three among squad staff, including Galthie – was uncovered by Friday’s round of testing, which produced negatives for the other 11 players examined.

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Dorian Aldegheri, Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka, Cyril Baille, Dylan Cretin, Charles Ollivon, Anthony Bouthier, Louis Carbonel, Romain Taofifenua, Paul Willemse and Arthur Vincent have been given the all clear.

“The player who tested positive for Covid-19 is Antoine Dupont,” a French Rugby Federation statement read.

“To date, he is asymptomatic. In accordance with health protocol, he will remain in isolation for the next few days.”

Dupont is widely considered to be the best player in the world. The Toulouse scrum-half was crowned the Guinness Six Nations’ Player of the Championship last year when France were pipped for the title by England on points differential.

France have began this year’s campaign with two straight wins, over Italy and Ireland.

Scotland beat England at Twickenham in their opener but lost to Wales at BT Murrayfield in the second round of games.

The Scots have not won at the Stade de France since 1999.

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