Unvaccinated players from UK clubs will be able to travel to France this weekend to play in the Champions Cup without quarantining, despite French Government regulations currently requiring unvaccinated travellers from the UK arriving in France to self-isolate for 48 hours before taking a PCR test.
Telegraph Sport understands that while the requirement for a 48-hour quarantine period on arrival in France has now been removed for all club personnel, UK clubs will continue to adhere strictly to EPCR’s Covid-19 travel protocols and to maintain a sanitary ‘bubble’ for players and staff throughout.
All players and staff travelling to France must now supply evidence of a negative coronavirus test within 24 hours of departure, but are no longer required to quarantine following changes put into effect on Friday by the French Government.
From the Gallagher Premiership, Newcastle Falcons play Biarritz on Friday in the Challenge Cup, while Bath face La Rochelle on Saturday and Sale Sharks are in action on Sunday against Clermont.
Telegraph Sport understands that as a result of the change Sale will travel to France on Saturday with an unvaccinated player in their squad, having previously planned to leave any unvaccinated players at home in the UK, given they would normally be required to isolate for 48 hours, unlike their vaccinated team-mates, and potentially remain in quarantine for 10 days if they supplied a positive test result.
The latest development could prove good news for England ahead of their visit to France in March on the final day of the Six Nations if unvaccinated players are still allowed to enter the country without self-isolating.
Eighty-five per cent of the England squad selected by head coach Eddie Jones in November were double jabbed, with Exeter Chiefs centre Henry Slade revealing in an interview with Telegraph Sport last year that he was unvaccinated, later adding in a statement that he would “make an informed decision” about having the vaccine when the time came.
