The Fiji women's sevens team might skip the upcoming World Series events in Paris because of fears their players could contract Covid-19.
The Fijiana 7s have been out of action for over a year. Photo: Mike Lee - KLC fotos for World Rugby
Last season's global circuit was cut short because of the pandemic, with Fijian players currently competing in a domestic sevens series to keep match-fit ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
World Rugby announced two weeks ago the Women's Sevens Series would restart with back-to-back tournaments in Paris in May.
However Fiji Rugby CEO John O'Connor said they had concerns about travelling to Europe at the current time and are discussing their options with the governing body.
"The risks are too high for us to travel so we are serious considering the possibility of not sending our Fijiana team," he said.
"Although there is two tournaments one after another the issue we have is someone has Covid or catches Covid-19 they won't be allowed to travel back home and they return back home in quarantine."
The Fiji Rugby Super 7s Series has been helping players stay match-fit during the global pandemic. Photo: Mike Lee - KLC fotos for World Rugby
After the Flying Fijian's November tour was [rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/432312/flying-fijians-end-northern-hemisphere-tour-on-high-despite-covid-19-challenges disrupted by a Covid-19 outbreak] within the squad, the FRU is especially wary of exposing their players to any unnecessary risks.
"We are assessing the risks and we are looking at a more regional based competition (for) both our men's and women's," he said.
"We are having discussions with both Australia and New Zealand to see what is the safest way to have some international matches that can provide that platform or the other alternative is to travel early to Japan.
"We're currently looking at all options and getting into our bubble and remaining negative and trying to have some warm up games there."
The FRU said it needs time to discuss the pros and cons with their players and what the implications would be for their Olympic dream.
"While the men are participating in the series we've organised a separate tournament for the women to give them the required game-time and we also have plans that should there be no travel we have other plans to help the teams prepare at a high level of competition.
"...so what we're looking at is a sort of regional competition involving Australia and New Zealand and I'm not sure about Tonga and Samoa. The discussions are ongoing in the time-being and we're looking at possibilities at the end of May or early June."