No positive results from Munster and Leinster’s second round of Covid-19 tests

The IRFU has confirmed that the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing of players and staff at Leinster and Munster this week produced zero positive Covid-19 results. In total 153 players and staff were tested across the two provinces.

This is the second round of tests with the Leinster and Munster squads, while Ulster and Connacht also came through their own second round of PCR testing last week without any positive results.

The staff and players in all four provinces have thus been cleared to enter the next phase of their graduated return to contact training. To date there have been 560 tests conducted across the professional player and staff group and zero positive tests reported.

IRFU medical director Rod McLoughlin said: “The players and staff will continue to undergo daily medical screening and assessment. The next phase of testing will take place ahead of the Pro14 fixtures in August.”

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The Guinness Pro14 will resume in Ireland with two rounds of interprovincial derbies, beginning with the meeting of Leinster and Munster at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, August 22nd (kick-off 7.35pm). The following day, Connacht and Ulster meet at the same venue. All games will be shown live on eirSport.

In advance of the Premiership resuming on August 14th, another four Premiership players have tested positive this week for Covid-19. This was from 846 tests, which are being conducted every Monday. Over the three previous weeks, 15 players and six staff tested positive.