Confirmed: Kolbe's Toulon Top 14 put on ice

NEWS: Toulon’s game at home to La Rochelle in the Top 14 and the match between Toulouse and Montpellier, both scheduled for Sunday, have been called off due to Covid-19 outbreaks.

The French national rugby league (LNR) said Friday both Toulon and Montpellier were “unable to play” after a series of coronavirus tests produced more positive results.

Both clubs had called for their respective games to be postponed.

Toulon have dealt with some 20 cases. Eight players would still have been in isolation for the day of the game, leaving the team short of the required six front-rows for a matchday squad.

Springbok star Cheslin Kolbe was set to make his Top 14 debut for Toulon after joining the club in Septemer.

He featured in the Challenge Cup last month for the first time after recovering from a knee injury.

Montpellier, who are one point behind second-placed Toulouse, were experiencing a similar problem with 17 players unavailable after testing positive.