Munster back in action after Covid-19 scare
Lukaku on the double as Inter crush Shakhtar
IRISH Rugby’s Project Restart received a major boost yesterday with Munster returning to full training following last week’s Covid-19 scare. Last Thursday, a Munster academy player tested positive for the virus, but he is now asymptomatic, as are six other teammates deemed as close contacts – including one senior player. All of the players in question are continuing to self-isolate but the negative test results among the teammates are a boost to the province ahead of Saturday’s Pro14 clash with Leinster at the Aviva. A third scheduled routine round of PCR testing of staff and players took place yesterday, with the results released later in the week. Meanwhile, Leinster will be without Fergus McFadden for the business end of their Pro14 campaign with the veteran back – who is retiring at the end of the current season – facing six weeks on the sidelines with a calf injury.
It is a cruel blow for a Leinster stalwart who was hoping to finish a glittering career at the province on a high. ‘It was devastating to see him go down in training last week,’ said Leinster scrumhalf Luke McGrath. ‘But he seems pretty positive, the
rehab is going well. I know it’s still quite early and I know he’ll be gone for a couple of weeks at least.’ Meanwhile, Felipe Contepomi is relishing this weekend’s meeting with Leinster’s arch rivals, which is set to be the first competitive game on this island for 175 days. ‘It’s a big challenge,’ said the Leinster backs coach. ‘It’s a new or strange situation and I think it will be a challenge so we can only imagine how it will be because we’ve never been through a situation of playing in an empty stadium before. ‘I think we address it as best as we can and hopefully we can adapt if we have to adapt to something on the day and then learn from it and get better for the following week. ‘I think it could be a situation that could go for a few weeks or months, you don’t know. It’s just getting used to it, it’s all new and in terms of Munster it’s always great. ‘It’s been a tough few months for everyone in the world but we speak from Ireland, in Ireland, and having been so close to rugby coming back and giving all of the people, even if they can’t be at the stadium, the opportunity to enjoy and entertain with rugby. I think Leinster v Munster, you can’t ask for a better game to start with so we’re looking forward to it very much.’ In keeping with Government policy, a strict cap of 200 people will be apply on Saturday, a real challenge for both squads. ‘You’re allowed to have 42 personnel, with two bus drivers included, so literally it’s 40,’ added Contepomi.