Advertisement
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.

Close
4 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Donal Peoples
    Favourite Donal Peoples
    Report
    May 30th 2020, 9:59 AM

    I like the way one of the answers is written on the picture tagline :)

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Monty
    Favourite Monty
    Report
    May 30th 2020, 6:13 PM

    @Donal Peoples: honestly thought it was a trick question and was 99% sure it was him lol

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute my name
    Favourite my name
    Report
    May 30th 2020, 9:52 AM

    Jim Staples, what a player

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike Keane
    Favourite Mike Keane
    Report
    May 30th 2020, 2:51 PM

    @my name: The only one I got right.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim Demps
    Favourite Jim Demps
    Report
    May 30th 2020, 9:37 AM

    10/10 here. Good quiz

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hugh Dunne
    Favourite Hugh Dunne
    Report
    May 30th 2020, 10:42 AM

    @Jim Demps: that question 9 tho……

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim Demps
    Favourite Jim Demps
    Report
    May 30th 2020, 11:15 AM

    @Hugh Dunne: era is always know the ex munster players

    3
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kate Colbert
    Favourite Kate Colbert
    Report
    Jun 1st 2020, 3:56 AM

    @Hugh Dunne: Can never forget that face rampaging through South Africans in the Irish away kit. One of the most exceptional performances I remember.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Mc
    Favourite Chris Mc
    Report
    May 30th 2020, 9:34 AM

    Got the Mason question wrong.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan Phelan
    Favourite Brendan Phelan
    Report
    May 30th 2020, 1:01 PM

    5 out of 10 and proud. Love those quizzes. Keep em comin !

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robb Stark
    Favourite Robb Stark
    Report
    May 30th 2020, 10:37 AM

    First 10/10 in a while.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan Heery
    Favourite Brendan Heery
    Report
    May 30th 2020, 11:44 AM

    @Robb Stark: Sure you did Robb… Sure you did.

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry Betts
    Favourite Larry Betts
    Report
    May 30th 2020, 11:58 AM

    @Robb Stark: All scores should be declared null and void. It’s a disgrace to be having quizzes like that when people are dying.

    47
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robb Stark
    Favourite Robb Stark
    Report
    May 30th 2020, 1:51 PM

    @Larry Betts: couldn’t agree more, Larry. Well said.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark C
    Favourite Mark C
    Report
    May 30th 2020, 1:52 PM

    @Larry Betts: go have a lie down.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry Betts
    Favourite Larry Betts
    Report
    May 30th 2020, 6:49 PM

    @Mark C: ’twas only a dig at someone who says that at every oportunity! ;-)

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute D
    Favourite D
    Report
    May 30th 2020, 5:49 PM

    Back when it was about the sport and not posing on Instagram

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Oran Burns
    Favourite Oran Burns
    Report
    May 30th 2020, 10:43 AM

    5 out of 10 brutal!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kieran Considine
    Favourite Kieran Considine
    Report
    May 30th 2020, 3:16 PM

    Going well for once in these quizzes..Simon Mason let me down for the slam

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JoyMonkey
    Favourite JoyMonkey
    Report
    May 30th 2020, 6:16 PM

    8/10 I’m happy to say. Dropped the ball on a couple.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Auntie
    Favourite Auntie
    Report
    May 30th 2020, 1:45 PM

    7. Not bad.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel