Ulster cancel all training as positive case adds to province’s woes

A SECOND senior Irish rugby player in three days has tested positive for Covid-19 as Ulster have been dealt a major blow ahead of their trip to Wales to play Ospreys this weekend.

An academy player has also contracted the virus, which has seen Ulster cancel all training until further notice.

Both unnamed individuals are said to have been asymptomatic.

A further five players and a member of the backroom staff have been identified as potential close contacts and are now also self-isolating.

The news comes as a senior Munster player tested positive this week, with the province currently awaiting the latest round of results.

Ulster are due to take on the Ospreys in Swansea on Saturday, but it now remains to be seen whether that Guinness PRO14 game will be allowed to go ahead. Further testing will take place within the province today as they hope the virus has not spread.

If Ulster are unable to field a team and the game is called off, then it would be refixed for early 2021.

Meanwhile, Keith Earls has emerged as a doubt for the Six Nations restart after Munster revealed the Ireland winger has suffered a back injury.

Earls missed last week’s win over Scarlets and it remains to be seen if he will be fit enough to be included in the Ireland squad, which is due to be named this morning.

It’s the latest selection headache for Ireland coach Andy Farrell who will, at least, be relieved to hear that Conor Murray is expected to return to training today.