Rugby

Leinster and Montpellier report more positive Covid-19 tests

Irish province resumed training after cancelling on Monday

Leinster are due to meet Montpellier in the Champions Cup on Friday. Photo: Oisin Keniry/Getty Images

Tue Dec 14 2021 - 14:29

Leinster resumed training on Tuesday after Monday’s postponement but the province have confirmed that more senior players have tested positive for Covid-19.

In a statement released at lunchtime on Tuesday it was not specified how many players have tested positive but the province say they have returned to training in preparation for Friday’s Champions Cup match away to Montpellier. On Tuesday the French club also confirmed another positive Covid-19 case within their camp, the fifth after two players and two staff members had already tested positive.

Montpellier say the positive tests “considerably impact” their preparations for Friday’s match and they are now training in separate groups with more tests to be done on Wednesday.

Last week three senior Leinster players and one member of staff tested positive for Covid-19 before they opened their Champions Cup campaign with a 45-20 victory over Bath in Dublin on Saturday.

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Leo Cullen will provide a full update on the situation at 4pm on Tuesday.

The statement released on Tuesday read: “Leinster Rugby returned to training today at UCD following yesterday’s postponement and a full round of antigen and PCR tests which were carried out on site.

Leinster Rugby can confirm that the club is assisting an additional number of senior players who have tested positive for Covid-19 and are now self-isolating.

The latest cases follow the antigen and PCR testing which were carried out at Leinster Rugby on all players, coaches and staff.

The HSE has been informed in accordance with public health guidelines, as has EPCR.

The remaining members of the Leinster Rugby squad will train today in UCD and will continue to test daily and take all necessary precautions ahead of Friday’s Heineken Champions Cup game against Montpellier in France.”