Munster Academy player tests positive for Covid-19, six more players in self-isolation

Munster's preparations for their return to action have been interrupted after an Academy player tested positive for Covid-19.

The player was part of the wider training squad and the province have identified five further academy players and one senior player who have been deemed as potential close contacts. It means that seven players in total are in self-isolation and Thursday's training session was called off as a precaution. Munster are due to play Leinster in the Guinness Pro 14 restart on Saturday week but plans remain for the squad to continue their training on Monday. In a statement, the province said the player developed symptoms on Sunday and has since returned a positive test.

'Munster Rugby have been assisting an Academy player within the wider training squad who has tested positive for Covid-19. 'As a precautionary measure the squad and Academy did not train today at the HPC and Thomond Park. 'The individual immediately self-isolated on development of symptoms on Sunday. 'The HSE have been contacted and the contact tracing process has commenced. 'In taking all precautions Munster Rugby have immediately identified five academy players and one senior player as potential close contacts from social and household settings and the six players have already commenced self-isolating. 'The province will await further guidance from the HSE in this regard. 'The senior squad will return to the HPC on Monday to complete the third phase of the IRFU’s routine PCR testing and resume preparations for the Guinness PRO14 encounter against Leinster. 'Test results will be released publicly in line with the process for phase one and two of these routine tests.'

Munster Rugby Head of Medical, Dr Jamie Kearns, said that plans are afoot for the resumption of training next week. “The player involved has not been in the High Performance Centre this week and the HSE have confirmed that the training group are not considered as close contacts. “The individual is continuing to be monitored medically and remains well. “There are protocols and policies in place that everyone has been following, and we will continue to be vigilant in all our efforts as we move closer to the return of rugby on Saturday week."

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