The new French Covid-19 vaccination stance is set to have an impact on the Six Nations, which gets under way next month.
The French Parliament have given the order for the country's health pass system to be converted into a vaccine pass, which means that anyone entering leisure, cultural and sports venues will have to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
The government has suggested that no exemptions would be granted to athletes located outside France, which could have an effect on both rugby union's Six Nations competition and European club competitions.
Ireland travel to Paris on February 12 for their Six Nations clash with France but it is thought the new protocol will not have an impact on the Irish squad.
At the end of last year, the IRFU said that 99.2% of Ireland's professional players and their coaching staff had received Covid-19 vaccinations.
However, that is not the case for Rugby League side Wakefield, who face Catalans next month, as their Chief Executive Michael Carter admitted his club could be badly hit by the new Covid regulations.
Speaking to PA Carter said: “We’re having a meeting on Thursday about the whole Covid issue.
“I have got some players who are unvaccinated at this moment in time, so as I understand it, as of this morning they won’t be able to go and play in France.”
Carter says six players in his club’s 33-man squad have so far refused the vaccine but some of them may now agree to change their mind.
Carter added: “One of the questions I want to ask is if they were to decide to and get themselves their first vaccination, would that cover them? I haven’t seen the definition of what they are classing as vaccinated.
“I think I’ve got six out of our 33-man squad that are completely unvaccinated while some have had one jab, some have had two and some have had the booster as well.
“From the conversations I’ve had with those unvaccinated, a couple have intimated that, if they were to be in a position where they are actually missing games, then they would re-consider.
“There are others that are adamant that they’re not having the vaccination so I won’t be changing their minds.
“That’s the stance they’ve taken. Whether I agree with their views or not, I’ve got to respect their personal choice but equally I have got a responsibility to make sure that we are fielding our best players for every single game. It’s not an easy balancing act.
“It will still be an issue for us when we travel to France in February.”
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