Pivac issues stern warning to Welsh players

Wales boss Wayne Pivac has laid down the law regarding his team’s observation of Covid-19 protocols, saying:

“There are examples of a couple of footballers. If that sort of thing happened in our environment, they will be released from the squad. It’s as simple as that.”

Wales face a tough schedule, embarking on six games in six weeks. The team will train at their traditional base of Vale of Glamorgan in a “bubble” environment and Pivac’s stance leaves no room for any doubt.

“There is too much at stake, there is too much riding on this. We certainly won’t tolerate any individuals putting the team or competition at risk. We think our environment will be very tight and will certainly comply with all the areas that we have to comply with. It will be one of the best places to be, I can assure you of that,” he said.

“It’s the discipline that we, as the leaders in the group, have to maintain and make sure that the education is in place. That has been in place and will continue to be in place. There are Zoom calls before the team comes into the camp, and then there will be Covid instructions throughout our time together.

“We will be very diligent in the way we operate and make sure we keep this thing at bay to ensure we’re able to fulfil our role within the tournament, and that is to front up and fulfil our fixtures.”