- Kolisi on the bench as Springboks ring changes for Scotland clash
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- Leveraging Trump win, embattled Macron eyes diplomatic comeback
- England cricket great Botham hails Hughes for Aussie croc rescue
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- Arsenal ready to rebound after troubled spell: Arteta
- Cartier owner's profit sinks as China sales slump
- UN aims to set standards for scandal-hit carbon markets
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- Amsterdam mayor 'ashamed' by 'unbearable' attacks on Israel football fans
- UN probe says women, children comprise the majority of Gaza war dead
- England's Lawrence eager to face rising Wallabies star Suaalii
- Judge Spurs at end of the season, says Postecoglou
- Paris Olympic horses to be awarded military medals
- Flood-hit Spain drenched by wettest October on record
- Spain call up uncapped trio for Nations League
- INEOS Britannia named as challenger for 38th America's Cup
- Scarlets wing Murray set for Wales debut against Fiji
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- Prince William reflects on 'brutal' year as Kate returns to public life
- After Trump win, EU leaders tackle 'urgent' reform agenda
- France expects massive slump in 2024 wine harvest
- Leaders condemn 'anti-Semitic' football clashes in Amsterdam
- China passes energy law to 'promote carbon neutrality'
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- China unveils sweeping local govt debt swap to lift ailing economy
- Partial UN probe of Gaza war dead over 6 months shows 'nearly 70%' women, children
- 'Anti-government' samosa theft prompts India police probe
- Qantas plane returns to Australia airport due to 'engine failure'
- Ayub hits 82 as Pakistan crush Australia in 2nd ODI
- Russian drones, missiles pummel cities across Ukraine
- First artwork by humanoid robot sells for over $1.0 million
- China to raise local govt debt ceiling to boost struggling economy
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- Retired Olympian Daley dives into the spool with Tokyo knitwear show
- Japanese organ builder 'honoured' to restore voice of Notre Dame
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- Fur flies as Russia takes on young fans of 'quadrobics'
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- Rauf takes five as Australia out for 163 in 2nd Pakistan ODI
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- Trump makes first cabinet pick, eyes Putin talks
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Toulouse to 'take legal action' after 'disrespectful' Champions Cup decision
Toulouse president Didier Lacroix said on Friday the club will "take legal action" after European Champions Cup organisers cancelled this weekend's home game with Cardiff and left the holders at risk of missing out on the last 16.
European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) handed the Welsh side a bonus point 28-0 victory after Lacroix's record five-time winners registered numerous Covid-19 cases among their squad.
Lacroix claimed his side had enough fit players to fulfill the fixture with EPCR rules stating clubs must follow their domestic league's coronavirus regulations.
"We will take legal action against this decision because we're witnessing a total lack of respect," Lacroix told reporters.
"We can't let this injustice pass," he added during a 40-minute monologue.
Toulouse are seventh in Pool B and need results, including Castres' game at English champions Harlequins and Wasps' visit to Munster, to go in their favour if they are to reach April's knock-out stages.
Their fixture at Wasps in December was declared a 0-0 draw due to travel restrictions in place between France and Britain and they lost to the English side last weekend.
Cardiff fly-half Jason Tovey welcomed the EPCR's decision with a light-hearted reaction.
"Quality win lads defence was unreal especially the last 10 mins," he tweeted sarcastically.
"4 tries away from home to the European champs," he added.
The move from EPCR means Irish province Connacht have reached the knock-out stages of Europe's top-tier competition for the first time.
Later on Friday, Bordeaux-Begles' trip to Leicester Tigers scheduled for Saturday became the tenth game in this season's competition where a side has been given a victory or a match declared a draw due to Covid-19 issues.
In December, four-time winners Leinster claimed they also had enough squad members to play Montpellier but the French club were awarded the win.
"Without speaking about our cases, numerous clubs have already been damaged, and it's time that it stops," Lacroix said.
"We're talking about the credibility of this competition," he added.
- 'Scandalous' -
The French league (LNR), who run the Top 14 and ProD2, sympathised with Toulouse's situation.
"The LNR denounces a scandalous and totally unfounded decision," the LNR said.
"EPCR's decision is in violation of its own rules. It is incomprehensible and brings a serious prejudice on the club and the fairness of the competition," it added.
Toulouse have refused to disclose the names of those who have contracted the illness but world player of the year Antoine Dupont as well as France half-back partner Romain Ntamack were omitted from the team announced for the game with Cardiff.
Les Bleus meet for a training camp in southern France on Sunday before starting their Six Nations campaign by hosting Italy on February 6.
"To participate in a France camp, a player has to have a negative test result," the French Rugby Federation's vice-president Serge Simon told AFP.
"What gives us a bit of comfort is that the first match isn't straight away," he added.
O.Krause--BTB