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Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Ulster vs Leinster set to go ahead after latest round of Covid-19 testing

This weekend's Guinness Pro14 clash between Ulster and Leinster is set to go ahead following the latest round of Covid-19 testing.

The inter-provincial rivals will meet on Saturday evening at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Some doubt had been cast on the game going ahead after Ulster Rugby revealed yesterday that it had immediately stood down all training after "multiple Academy players" tested positive for Covid-19.

The club said all individuals potentially exposed to the virus had already commenced self-isolating, including one senior squad member who had been identified as a potential contact.

But on Thursday the IRFU (Irish Rugby Football Union) confirmed that the latest round of PCR testing of players and staff at Ulster and Leinster had produced zero positive results.

One hundred and fifty-five players and staff have been tested across the two provinces this week.

"The staff and players from the two provinces have been cleared to compete in this weekend’s Guinness PRO14 games at the Aviva Stadium. Players and staff are currently tested each match week," the IRFU said in a statement.

"Training for the Ulster senior squad at the Kingspan Stadium recommenced today on confirmation of all players and support staff testing negative, after it was stopped as a precautionary measure on confirmation of 8 positive Covid-19 cases in the Ulster Academy.

"All individuals identified as potential close contacts of this group of Academy players immediately began self-isolating and have since been tested.

"This includes one member of the senior squad who has received a negative test result but will continue to self-isolate in line with public health advice.

"All Academy training continues to be suspended and Ulster Rugby continues to work closely alongside the Public Health Agency."

To date there have been 1070 tests conducted across the professional player and staff group and nine positive tests reported from the academy system.

IRFU Medical Director Rod McLoughlin added: “We have now had two occurrences of Covid and while the primary focus and concern will always be player health it is good to see that the systems and protocols that have been put in place are working.

“We will now use these experiences to refine our systems and protocols as we continue to operate in this new environment.”

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