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Robert Baloucoune and Tiernan O’Halloran race for a ball in December. James Crombie/INPHO

Ulster and Connacht Coronavirus-free as provinces set for full return

Leinster and Munster delivered zero positives after testing last week.

THE IRFU THIS morning confirmed that the 118 tests for Covid-19 administered to players and staff in Ulster and Connacht Rugby have delivered zero positive results

The tested group now join counterparts in Leinster and Munster, who returned 140 negative outcomes last week, and are cleared to return for training from Monday 29 June.

“The first phase of PCR testing has been successfully completed,” said the IRFU’s medical director Dr Rod McLoughlin after 258 tests with zero positives.

“The players and staff now enter a period of daily medical screening and assessment.  The second phase of testing will take place as players return to contact.”

The tests, taken by players and staff in Ulster and Connacht on Wednesday, were carried out by Cork-based company Advanced Medical Studies and the green light has allowed the professional game on this island a two-month ramp-up to a return to action.

Competitive rugby is due to return on 22 August with the resumption of a curtailed Guinness Pro14. 18 September brings about the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals, in which Ulster face a tough trip to Toulouse while Leinster host Saracens.

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    Mute #JUSTICE4NOEL
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    Mar 30th 2020, 7:48 PM

    Dan Leavy returning soon will be huge for Leinster and Ireland. The best forward in the country when healthy and a challenger with Underhill and Curry for those 2 lions flanker positions.

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    Mute Sean Fahey
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    Mar 30th 2020, 10:20 PM

    @#JUSTICE4NOEL: I’m very excited to see him come back too and, sadly, will be hopeful that he is the same player when he gets back.

    The Leinster medical team are excellent at managing rehab, very few if any players with recurring injuries, I’m optimistic that he will be.

    Will Conners might be focused on as a 6 such is the depth at 7.

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Apr 1st 2020, 12:09 PM

    @Sean Fahey: Leavy could be a highly effective 6 too. He’s not a renowned jumper in the lineout but he can do everything else, and offers serious balance to any backrow, in similar ways that SOB did in previous years. Touch wood he comes back as the same player, as you said, the Leinster medical team have a good track record. Keen to see where Leavy and Conan will fit from an Irish perspective now Doris and Deegan have got their breakthroughs aswell.

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    Mute Jamie Bent
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    Mar 30th 2020, 6:57 PM

    That drop still haunts me. Better team lost that day!

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    Mute Sean Fahey
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    Mar 30th 2020, 7:13 PM

    @Jamie Bent: Ulster were immense that day but every now and then you either ride your luck a little bit or run out of it completely. It’s up there with Fofanas bicep alright.

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    Mute Kevin
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    Mar 30th 2020, 10:04 PM

    @Jamie Bent: I’d dare say it still haunts stockdale too. He hasn’t been good since.

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    Mute Oval Digest
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    Mar 31st 2020, 9:34 AM

    Two things stand out to me from a Leinster POV re-watching this -

    It’s such a shame Adam Byrne has never really kicked on. Immense physical gifts but just seems to be lacking something to really cement his place. Rumours that he’s off at the end of the season too.

    Secondly, Ross Byrne really is a big game player. Might not have the athleticism of his bro or even Sexton, but he never lets Leinster down in Europe. He has had by far the better outcome from the Carbery move so far.

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Mar 30th 2020, 7:42 PM

    It was a great performance for year one, of a 3 year plan. Year 2 and in play off spot in league, and Q final in Europe is nice showing, who knows where it will end, but certainly on target to be in finals and aiming for silverware in year 3.

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    Mute acallkelly
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    Mar 31st 2020, 11:54 AM

    I hope Dan Leahy will be given time to get to his own high standard, Leinster supporters will give him the space, not sure about the rest of chattering classes though !

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    Mute PScald
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    Apr 1st 2020, 5:16 PM

    @acallkelly: you’re right Leinster supporters are just superior people.. I heard theyre close to a vaccine

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