Munster rugby squad cleared to fly home from South Africa to Ireland

Ireland sports minister Jack Chambers said efforts are being taken to bring the Munster squad members back to the country from South Africa.

The Irish side were set to face Vodacom Bulls and Emirates Lions in successive weekends but the United Rugby Championship had announced the postponement of the fixtures due to concern over the newly emerged ‘omicron’ variant of Covid-19.

With the travel restrictions set to be effective, Munster were determined to return back to Ireland from Cape Town on Sunday failing which they had to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival which could hamper their preparations for the European competitions.

Nevertheless, with a player testing positive, the squad and staff members were forced to undergo quarantine in the team hotel. However, the latest development means efforts are being taken to bring the rest of the squad apart from the positively tested player and his close contact back to Ireland.

“The South African health authorities have given approval for the rest of the Munster panel and the broader squad to travel home,” Mr Chambers said.

“The latest information is that they are free to travel, as of today. That wasn’t the case yesterday, so there is intensive work ongoing to try and get them, to allow them to come home as quickly as possible.

"The rest of the team, there are about 48 people involved, they are now being authorised to travel and work is ongoing to find a route home for those who have tested negative".

However, the the Minister for Sport was unable to give a deadline on when they would be back in Ireland.

“As you know, there are difficulties in the travel situation in southern Africa at the minute,” he said.