Cardiff has started bringing back its six remaining teams and staff from South Africa – but they face a second period of 10-day isolation in the UK.

One player has already returned to the UK, while three others were in transit on Thursday evening, while the other two were due to leave Cape Town on Friday.

Six people completed a 10-day quarantine at a South African facility after testing positive for Covid-19.

However, they will have to enter a second 10-day isolation period at a UK government-approved hotel as South Africa is on the UK’s Red List for travel.

“Cardiff Rugby continues to work with its partners to discuss this issue with the UK’s Department of Digital Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS),” the club said in a statement.

“This is a situation that affects hundreds of people returning from Red List countries who have already served a 10-day quarantine after a positive Covid-19 test.

“We are seeking clarification from the DCMS as to why there is a need for second quarantine for people in this unique situation.

“Cardiff Rugby’s main priority is to support the health and well-being of our people and we will continue to work with relevant parties to achieve the best results.”

Cardiff’s Welsh rivals Scarlets lost their Champions Cup match to Bristola

Last week, a group of 42 people had returned to the UK from South Africa after testing negative for five consecutive days.

They remain isolated at a hotel outside London until next week, forcing Cardiff to field a mix of Welsh internationals, semi-pros and academy players in the Heineken Champions Cup opening match against Toulouse on Saturday Had to be

Welsh side, Scarlett currently have 32 players under quarantine at the Belfast Hotel. They lost their Champions Cup weekend match against Bristol.

Cardiff will face a tall order against the five-time European champions, even if they are at full power, but flanker Ellis Jenkins, who captained Wales in their series victories against Fiji and Australia, is not disappointed. .

“When this game was announced, we were really underdogs, if we’re being honest with ourselves,” he said.

“The whole situation is going on, the pressure has completely escaped.

“And the game is weird sometimes. It doesn’t always go as it should. We still have Stardust on our team.

“There are a lot of boys who want to play this game who are in a hotel room.

“We have to try to do justice to them and do the best we can. We have to go out and do a good job. ,