FRANCE'S Six Nations game with Scotland is in doubt after FIVE more players were hit by Covid.
The Championship leaders are already without star scrum-half Antoine Dupont and have also lost their captain Charles Ollivon in the latest outbreak.
The whole French squad was forced into isolation last week after boss Fabian Galthie tested positive but his isolation is expected to end before the match at the Stade de France.
Five further positive results – Dupont, Julien Marchand, Arthur Vincent, Mahammed Haouas and Gabin Villiere – were confirmed over the weekend as testing was increased.
And Ollivon, Cyril Baille, Peato Mauvaka, Romain Taofifenua and Brice Dulin have now been added to that list.
Les Bleus wildly celebrated their win against Ireland in the Dublin changing rooms before all of the positive tests were confirmed.
And some – including former England back Andy Goode – have suggested their actions in Ireland are to blame.
If France's game is postponed, it could cause chaos to the tournament as all other teams could finish their matches with no winner of the Six Nations crowned until the French play.
A statement from the French rugby union read: "Following RT-PCR tests carried out on Sunday February 21, five new players tested positive for COVID-19, leading to the selection of five new players to prepare for the match against Scotland.
"Following the tests, Cyril Baille (25 caps, Stade Toulousain), Peato Mauvaka (6 caps, Stade Toulousain), Romain Taofifenua (22 caps, RC Toulon), Charles Ollivon (20 caps, RC Toulon) and Brice Dulin (33 caps, Stade Rochelais) have tested positive for COVID-19.
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"Two members of the management are considered to be a suspicious case.
"With a view to isolation, the return home of the players and members of the management concerned is underway."
"Gaëtan Barlot (Castres Olympique), Thierry Paiva (Union Bordeaux Bègles), Cyril Cazeaux (Union Bordeaux Bègles), Baptiste Pesenti (Section Paloise) and Thomas Ramos (Stade Toulousain ) are selected to join the France group this Monday February 22.
"The return to collective training is set for Wednesday February 24, subject to the results of tests carried out every 24 hours."
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