Four Bordeaux-Begles players, including France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, were denied entry into the UK and stranded at Bristol Airport due to an administrative issue on the eve of their Champions Cup opener, a club source told AFP.
Bielle-Biarrey, back-rower Romain Gardrat, loosehead prop Matis Perchaud and Tonga international tighthead prop Toma Taufa were unable to leave Bristol Airport and travel with the rest of the squad to the team's hotel near Gloucester.
Bordeaux-Begles are set to begin their bid for a record-equalling third straight Champions Cup away to Gloucester on Friday.
The five members of the travelling party, including a fitness coach, were found not to have valid Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) permits, which are required for entry into the UK.
According to the source, their ETAs were linked to previous passports that had since been renewed this year, with no new authorisations obtained.
The club sought help from the French embassy in London in a bid to resolve the issue, which was eventually cleared up, allowing the players to rejoin the rest of the team.