Montpellier report fifth positive test ahead of Leinster clash

Planet Rugby

Montpellier have reported a fifth positive Covid-19 test ahead of their Champions Cup clash with Leinster, which is set to take place at GGL Stadium on Friday.

The Top 14 outfit confirmed the news only a day after their upcoming Irish opponents had postponed training prior to their latest round of PCR testing results.

Leinster said last week that three players and one member of staff had tested positive for Covid-19.

New positive case

“Following the series of tests carried out on Monday, December 13, Montpellier Herault Rugby formalises a new positive case for Covid-19 within the group,” read a statement posted on Montpellier’s official website.

“This is the fifth case of contamination detected over a period of seven days in the Herault workforce, which considerably impacts the preparation for the match against Leinster Rugby scheduled for Friday, December 17.

“In view of the latest results, the people concerned have been isolated and the team is now carrying out training in separate groups before being tested again this Wednesday, December 15.

“The club remains mobilised by continuing to apply a strict and rigorous health policy in order to preserve the health of its players and staff.”

Montpellier opened their Champions Cup campaign with a 42-6 defeat against Exeter last weekend, while Leinster defeated Bath 45-20.

Leinster planned a full round of testing on Monday, with training postponed as a precautionary measure until all results are confirmed.

Covid casts shadow over Leinster and Wasps

As mentioned, Leinster were forced to cancel training ahead of their Champions Cup match with Montpellier on Friday, while Wasps are struggling to get a full team together for their trip to Toulouse.

Leinster opted to do without a light session and undergo further testing, with three players and one staff member testing positive last week and the threat of further positives hanging over the squad.

All the squad and staff went through a round of antigen and PCR testing at its training facility and training will resume if there are no more positives on Tuesday. More positive tests could put the match into danger.