French rugby chief Laporte tests positive for Covid, will miss France/Ireland clash

French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte will be unable to attend the Six Nations clash with Ireland on Saturday after he revealed he had tested positive for Covid-19.

The 57-year-old former France coach's positive test comes after present French coach Fabien Galthie had to self-isolate for the same reason for their opening 37-10 hammering of Italy last Sunday.

"I have tested positive for Covid-19 and conforming to the sanitary regulations I will self-isolate," Laporte said on his Twitter account.

"All my thoughts are with the France team who meet Ireland at the Stade de France on Saturday."

France are the last side to have beaten the Irish, who have put together a run of nine successive Test wins since the home defeat in Dublin last February.