Training off and 'close-contact' Munster player in self-isolation following positive academy test

One senior Munster player is in self-isolation after being identified as a close contact of an academy player who has tested positive for Covid-19, the province has announced.

Munster are due to play Leinster on Saturday 22 August as the Guinness Pro14 resumes following the suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic outbreak.

Munster returned to collective training in late June and say that the player who tested positive was not at their high performance centre this week after developing symptoms on Sunday.

Neither squad trained today, at the HPC or Thomond Park, as a precaution but will "return to the HPC on Monday to complete the third phase of the IRFU's routine PCR testing and resume preparations for the Guinness PRO14 encounter against Leinster," a statement read. 

"In taking all precautions Munster Rugby have immediately identified five academy players and one senior player as potential close contacts from social and household settings and the six players have already commenced self-isolating.

"The province will await further guidance from the HSE in this regard", and contact tracing has begun. 

A Munster spokesperson told RTÉ Sport that the squad trained as normal on Monday and Tuesday. 

The HSE website says a close contact can mean "spending more than 15 minutes of face-to-face contact within 2 metres of an infected person in any setting" or "living in the same house or shared accommodation as an infected person."

Munster Rugby Head of Medical Dr Jamie Kearns added: "The health and safety of our players and staff is the priority and that is why we are taking all precautions, going above and beyond, ensuring the safe resumption of training and rugby next week.

"The player involved has not been in the High Performance Centre this week and the HSE have confirmed that the training group are not considered as close contacts.

"The individual is continuing to be monitored medically and remains well.

"There are protocols and policies in place that everyone has been following, and we will continue to be vigilant in all our efforts as we move closer to the return of rugby on Saturday week."