Shaun Edwards: France will not be using 'Covid disruption' as an excuse for Le Crunch

France defence coach, Shaun Edwards, has declared that Les Bleus will not use "Covid disruption" as an excuse in the build up to what he describes as "a high stakes" game against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

France’s momentum towards a possible first title in 11 years was stopped in its tracks following an outbreak of coronavirus in camp that saw 12 players and four management affected, leading to the postponement of their third-round match against Scotland at the Stade de France.

Such was the furore surrounding the mass infection that the French Ministry for Sport raised the possibility of withdrawing permission for the team to continue its participation in this year’s tournament. The president of the French Federation, Bernard Laporte, was summoned to the ministry last Friday to provide assurances that the Covid protocols in and around the French team would be improved.

“The mesh needed tightening,” said minister Jean-Michel Blanquer.

A lot of scrutiny was focused on France head coach, Fabien Galthié, who had left the team bubble in Paris to watch his son play rugby. Several players, too, had been spotted in Rome prior to the opening match of the championship eating waffles at a restaurant without wearing masks. The law has been laid down to the French squad that there are to be no more transgressions. The squad was disbanded and sent back to their clubs, only re-gathering once again on Sunday evening in Marcoussis.

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“It has obviously been a disruption but we can’t use any of it as an excuse,” Edwards told Telegraph Sport. “There won’t be any hangover about it all in our camp, let me tell you. The stakes are high at Twickenham. England are one of only two teams to have beaten us (the other is Scotland) since this management and group came together 15-16 months ago. We showed what we are capable of in December (when a below-strength France only lost in extra-time in the Autumn Nations Cup). If you prepare well, you tend to play well.

“I’m a great believer in the benefits of routine and that’s what we will be getting into right from the start of this week. It has all been dealt with and we have to crack on quickly as there is a massive game in front of us. Fabien and Rafa (Ibanez) have created a good culture in camp. The boys will not have been distracted by any of the goings-on. Sportsmen have to deal with all sorts of challenging stuff each and every week. Losses have to be put to bed. Injuries have to be put to bed. Criticism has to be put to bed. That’s how it will be.

“Twickenham is a stronghold (where France have not won in the Six Nations since 2005). England are the defending champions and played some really good rugby against Wales even though they lost. England are proven winners. We haven’t got time to be dwelling on anything else but trying to put in a performance. We’ll be highly motivated about going there to try to get a result, that’s for sure.”