The president of the French rugby federation has tested positive for Covid-19 and won’t be able to attend the team’s Six Nations showdown against Ireland at Stade de France.

Bernard Laporte, the former France coach and sports minister, said that he was self-isolating after testing positive.

The 57-year-old Laporte said, “all my thoughts” are with the team ahead of the match between the title favourites. Both teams opened the tournament with bonus-point victories.