IRFU to start testing for Leinster and Munster players as they near training

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has announced that the players and staff from Munster and Leinster will undergo a testing for coronavirus ahead of their training.

The sport has been on a suspension since March following the global outbreak of Covid-19 and things are heading for a resumption with improvement in the situation.

While New Zealand started their Super Rugby Aotearoa competition last weekend, Australia's Super Rugby AU will begin on 3rd July. With Irish provinces allowed to begin resuming under government directives, the IRFU had decided to conduct Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test on players from Munster and Leinster while Connacht and Ulster will undergo their test next week ahead of their training that is scheduled from 29th June.

The testing programme which is a part of return to play procedure of the union will be carried by Advanced Medical Sciences company in the club's respective High Performance Centres.

“The PCR testing ahead of the return to the High Performance Centres is an important element of our Return to Training Protocols. All players, coaches and support staff will be tested before being permitted to enter their respective HPCs," said IRFU Medical Director Dr Rod McLoughlin.

“They will also receive Covid-19 education from our medical staff as well as education on the new protocols that have been put in place at each HPC to create a controlled working environment that greatly limits the risk of infection.

“The IRFU is coordinating and overseeing the implementation of the Covid-19 protocols across our five designated High Performance Centres. We will be working closely with the HPC Covid Managers to support them in the roll-out of the protocols.”