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The red tape reason why Rynhardt Elstadt isn't available for the Toulouse trip to Munster

(Photo by Getty Images)

Tightened Irish government measures surrounding travel into Ireland are set to deny Rynhardt Elstadt the chance to line out for his French club Toulouse in this Saturday’s round of 16 Heineken Champions Cup match versus in Limerick versus Munster, last weekend’s beaten Guinness PRO14 finalists.   

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The twice-capped 31-year-old Springboks forward has been ruled out by red tape governing the rules of anyone who has recently been to South Africa. Toulouse had allowed Elstadt to go home during a vacation period to pass an airline pilot’s license exam.

However, while Elstadt would have been available to play for Toulouse if the Munster match was being staged in France, the period of isolation for someone who has been to South Africa is longer in Ireland. 

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Elstadt has missed last weekend Top 14 match versus Montpellier due to French isolation rules, but PCR tests since came back negative and he had resumed training at the start of this week in the expectation that he would be able to be selected to play at Munster. 

However, Irish government rules demand that someone who has been in South Africa isn’t allowed into Ireland until a 14-day period has passed. When Toulouse travel to Limerick on Thursday, it will have only been twelve days since Elstadt left South Africa.

“He had an exam to finish to become an airline pilot,” explained Toulouse boss Ugo Mola ahead of the game in Ireland. “He was allowed to leave, with the rule adapted to our government and the ministry of health. 

“He had an isolation to respect before resuming activity, but we received the new regulation of the EPCR which is adapted to the Irish government and prohibits Elstadt from travelling.” Skills coach AB Zondagh will also miss the match in Ireland for the same reason as Elstadt. 

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J
JW 2 hours ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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