FRENCH AUTHORITIES have given the 2021 Six Nations the go-ahead, in spite of Covid-19 concerns.
Tournament organisers have been told by the French Government that they're satisfied with health protocols presented by the FFR (Fédération Française de Rugby) and the Six Nations chiefs.
In France, current public measure dictate that anyone travelling into the country must quarantine for seven days (the 'septaine'), but all rugby players will be exempt from this rule.
"It was a decision expected by everyone in rugby," said sports minister Roxana Maracineanu on French TV this morning.
"The FFR has sent us a strict health protocol, and the decision was taken within the government that the Tournament be held on the date scheduled from February 6 with a health bubble.
"The constraints will mean that players will be exempt from the septaine in force. They will undergo tests every three days and will remain in a bubble with 30 players.
"The inter-ministerial crisis unit (CIC) gave a favourable opinion on Friday to the protocol of the Six Nations tournament (health bubble around each team, test every 3 days, staff reduced to 31, single room, contactless transport.
"With the favour of this protocol, the Ministry for Sport requested an exemption of septaine for the team of France and the other engaged teams, which has been validated to the Ministry of Sport to give the green light to the holding of the tournament in its original form."
The tournament is due to begin this Saturday, with France traveling Italy for the opening game, shortly before England host Scotland at Twickenham.
Ireland's tournament will begin on Sunday with a trip to Cardiff to face Wales.
There were fears the tournament may not be able to go ahead due to the coronavirus crisis, and particularly in light of the new variants spreading across Europe.
Last year, the tournament was halted with a number of fixtures still left to play due to the outbreak of the virus on the continent.
2020's tournament was unprecedentedly finished in November.
