MUNSTER AND LEINSTER BACK AFTER NEGATIVE TESTS

IRISH rugby’s return is a step closer today as Leinster and Munster return to training. The IRFU confirmed yesterday the first phase of their Covid-19 testing had produced no positive results. A statement from the union read: ‘140 players and staff were tested on Wednesday, 18th June in Leinster and Munster. ‘The PCR [polymerase chain reaction] testing was carried out by Corkbased company Advanced Medical Services on behalf of the IRFU. The staff and players have been cleared to access their respective High Performance Centres from Monday, 22nd June. ‘The second phase of PCR testing will commence with players and staff from Connacht and Ulster this coming week.’ The

Guinness Pro14 recently announced that action will restart on August 22 to finish the 2019/20 campaign. The altered format will feature two rounds of derby games in the final two weeks of August, which will help determine the identity of the semifinalists. Leinster will have veteran backs Rob Kearney and Fergus McFadden with them for the campaign after it was announced on Saturday that both have had their contracts extended to the end of the season. Both players’ deals were due to expire at the end of June. McFadden has announced his decision to retire, though Kearney has not confirmed his intentions. Rather then allowing their contracts to run out, the PRO14 champions have given the two fan favourites the chance of a decent send-off.