Tadhg Beirne admits the Munster stars who weren't in South Africa at the time of their Covid crisis "dodged a bullet".
Along with a number of Ireland internationals who play for the province, Beirne was coming back off a mini-break following the November Test window, during which he came off the bench in the victory over the All Blacks.
The versatile forward was due to arrive in South Africa on the weekend of Munster's first of two scheduled URC fixtures there, against the Lions, but the trip got pulled at the 11th hour following the emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid in the country.
Fourteen members of the 48-strong Munster travelling party remain in Cape Town after 10 positive tests were recorded, while the others returned next week but may not play any part in Sunday's Champions Cup clash with Wasps.
“I was one of the lucky ones who didn't end up flying out," Beirne told The Rugby Pod.
"We were due to fly out on the Saturday and obviously it all unfolded on the Friday, so we dodged a bullet really.
“We all feel for those boys. It's tough times for a lot of them, stuck in their rooms, especially for those with families, but they'll get through it hopefully and they'll be back soon.
“A couple of the lads over in SA, I think they are able to do a bit of training and then a few of the lads here have got stuff to their homes, so they are able to do a bit of training as well.
“I don't think anyone is too ill, which is the main thing. Hopefully they will be out sooner rather than later.”
Beirne, who will be a key man for Johann van Graan in Coventry at the weekend as Munster are expected to bring a patched-up squad cross-channel, was reluctant to talk about the situation regarding any of his team-mates currently in quarantine.
"I'm lucky enough to be at home with my family,” he added. “I don't have to deal with being stuck in a hotel room in a different country, not knowing if you're going to get home or not for Christmas.
“I'm sure that will be playing on the players' minds a lot and I can imagine mentally more than anything, that's what's going to be difficult in this situation.
“You put the League and Europe to one side and kind of think about the player welfare more than anything. I think that's all we are concerned about, more than anything."
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