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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Matthew Southcombe

Six Nations controversy to erupt as unvaccinated players banned from playing in France

Professional rugby players who are not vaccinated against Covid-19 will not be able to play in France this year.

The French Assemblée Nationale has passed a new law that requires people to be vaccinated if they are to visit many public places like restaurants, bars, stadiums and cafes.

And as such, professional athletes will no longer be allowed to enter the country to compete if they have not had the vaccine, according to AFP.

Les Bleus have home games against Italy, Ireland and England this year. Wayne Pivac's Wales side aren't travelling to Paris this year and will be hosting France on March 11.

Rules over unvaccinated athletes entering foreign countries have been thrust in the spotlight over the last week or so by the Novak Djokovic saga at tennis' Australian Open.

The world number one, who has not been vaccinated against Covid-19, was deported from Australia on Sunday after losing a court case to have the cancellation of his visa overturned.

France's new law was approved by parliament on Sunday and is expected to come into force on January 20.

"The rule is simple. The vaccine pass will be imposed, as soon as the law is promulgated, in establishments that were already subject to the health pass," the ministry said.

"This will apply to everyone who is a spectator or a professional sportsperson. And this until further notice.

"Now, as far as Roland Garros [the next tennis Grand Slam Djokovic will hope to play in] is concerned, it's in May. The situation may change between now and then and we hope that it will be more favourable.

"So we'll see, but clearly there's no exemption."

It's unclear how many Six Nations players will be affected. England's Henry Slade is one who has previously revealed his is not vaccinated.

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