Ian Watson wants France to mandate a vaccine for the entire Super League season

IAN Watson wants the vaccine rules regarding France to be maintained throughout the Super League season – otherwise its integrity could be compromised.

Huddersfield faced a shortage of players in their opening game in Toulouse after the French Government banned players not wearing capes from entering the country.

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And boss Watson wants that to last after their game on February 12, so they are unchallenged while the other nine UK-based teams can choose regardless of their collision status.

“As long as everyone plays by the same rules, that’s what you want,” he said.

“If we are saying that unvaccinated players at the moment cannot play, it has to be a rule that continues across the board.

“We cannot control what the French government decides. Maybe in two weeks they’ll do what’s going on here by saying people can come and move around freely.

“But what I don’t want to happen is that people question the integrity of the game because some clubs are going against weak teams.”

Watson admits he will not pressure players to get vaccinated after hearing arguments on both sides of the equation.

However, he knew that if Great Britain were to copy French with its mandate, people had to choose whether it was their beliefs or their work.

He added: “We won’t have a handful for Toulouse. We’re about 83% vaccinated, but you want to go with a full-fledged team.

“I don’t want to go into it, but there’s going to be quite a bit and it’s out of our hands. We cannot control the French Government, they make the rules.

“For me, it’s a choice and everyone deserves a choice about what they want to do in life. People should not force each other’s opinions.

“Do we want some people vaccinated? Yes, but some people have very strong beliefs in vaccinations.

“However, if the UK Government says, ‘You can’t play sport unless you’ve been vaccinated,’ that’s a whole different pot of fish. People will really have to make a decision. “

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