The Flying Fijians rugby team is training in bubbles of six while they await the results of further rounds of testing for Covid-19.
Three members of the Fiji camp tested positive for the coronavirus earlier this week, after arriving at their camp in Limoges, in central France.
The Flying Fijians are in camp in Limoges, France. Photo: Fiji Rugby
Three others are also in isolation after the Barbarians game against England was called off when a group of players breached team protocols in London by leaving the team hotel.
Pacific Rugby Players CEO Aayden Clarke said the Fiji delegation had been following all the required measures.
"We did a lot of education with the players before they left and where they came from in different parts of the world into that camp," he said.
"Obviously always fingers crossed that we'd be able to get through unscathed but, given the location that they're, I thought in the back of my mind anyway I thought that this is a real high liklihood that this could happen. It's just now about making sure we react to it and do the very best possible."
Pacific Rugby Players CEO Aayden Clarke. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Vinnie Wylie
Fiji coach Vern Cotter, assistant coach Glen Jackson and seven of the Fijian players were involved in the Barbarians squad. While none were among the rule-breakers, three of the group are isolating away from the rest of the team after being in contact with those who did breach the strict protocols.
"Anything of this nature is a little bit alarming but what we're really comfortable with and been working with FRU on before all the players came into camp was just around the protocols," Clarke explained.
"The protocols have been really good but sometimes Covid has no respect for those protocols and these things happen. The key thing from now has just been about keeping the players isolated."
Head coach Vern Cotter was among the Fiji delegation involved with the Barbarians team. Photo: Photosport
The Flying Fijians squad being tested twice-weekly for Covid-19 as they prepare for their Autumn Nations Cup opener against France next weekend.
Once the six people in isolation have returned a second negative test they will be able to join the wider camp, which is training in groups of six until all players return two negative tests.
"Those three [from the Barbarians squad] are in isolation in the hotel. The whole team is in an isolated hotel, so no other members of the public in thereand it's just about monitoring them now," Clarke said.
"The rest of them are in small training groups as well and trying to continue on as normal as they can while we await the outcomes [from testing]."
