Just 16 days out from their Heineken Champions Cup final against Exeter, Racing 92 have been hit by a coronavirus outbreak.
The Paris-based club, who boast Ireland internationals Simon Zebo and Donnacha Ryan in their ranks, said that nine members of the squad and staff have tested positive for Covid-19.
Former Munster scrum-half Mike Prendergast is the attack and backs coach at the club.
The outbreak will cause significant disruption to their preparations for the third European Cup final, which takes place in Bristol's Ashton Gate on 17 October.
"Following the discovery of 9 positive PCR cases among the staff and players of the professional group, health measures were put in place this morning," Racing tweeted this afternoon.
Measures include "immediate home isolation from the entire sports group" and the closure of their training facility for five days for "complete decontamination", the Top 14 club added.
They will undergo further tests next week ahead of a Top 14 tie against Toulouse.
😥Images inhabituelles pour un jeudi au centre d'entrainement.
— Racing 92 (@racing92) October 1, 2020
Suite à la découverte de 9 cas PCR positifs parmi le staff et les joueurs du groupe professionnel, des mesures sanitaires ont été mises en place dès ce matin. pic.twitter.com/SP9ePiF5Ty
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