Four Bordeaux-Bègles players have been denied entry to Britain one day before their Champions Cup match at Gloucester.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Romain Gardrat, Matis Perchaud and Toma Taufa have been left in transit at Bristol Airport because they do not have valid electronic travel authorisation (ETA), according to reports in France. Another member of staff is said to be among them.

ETA is a digital pass that allows short-stay visitors who do not require a visa to enter Britain at passport control.

A source told Agence France-Presse (AFP): “The English authorities don’t want to hear anything about it. We’ve told them that these are top-level athletes, including a well-known French international, who came to play a European Rugby Cup match, but they are inflexible. The players are stuck at the airport.”

The source also said that the French giants are doing everything possible to resolve the issue telling the agency: “We have notified the authorities, the mayor of Bordeaux, Thomas Cazenave [a former minister under Emmanuel Macron], and the French embassy in London to get things moving again.”

Bordeaux-Bègles, the two-time defending Champions Cup winners, play Gloucester at Kingsholm at 8pm on Friday.

The reigning champions have named a strong team to take on Gloucester, with the stand-out selection being that of Tongan prop Ben Tameifuna, who has made a shock move into the second row. The near-25st tighthead is one of the most recognisable figures in the game, but will start out in an unfamiliar role.

Gloucester have named a strong side themselves, with Dewi Lake leading a side featuring Jac Morgan, Will Joseph, Ben Loader and Seb and Charlie Atkinson. World Cup winner Jean Kleyn will play at lock, and Arthur Clark is back from injury.