Leinster head coach Leo Cullen says they are preparing for Friday's game against Montpellier to go ahead as planned, despite both teams being hit with multiple positive Covid-19 cases.
The Irish side confirmed today that they have identified "an additional number" of senior players who have tested positive for coronavirus, on top of the cases recorded prior to last weekend's Heineken Champions Cup opener against Bath.
Friday's opponents Montpellier have also been seen Covid-19 breach their squad bubble, with five players and management testing positive.
And despite having multiple players withdrawn due to positive tests and close contacts, Leinster returned to training today.
Head coach Leo Cullen says it's too early to make a call as to whether Friday's game goes ahead.
"It's only really speculation, I don’t know enough in terms of the facts," he said, when asked if he was concerned Friday's game in France would not go ahead.
"For us as coaches and players we’ve just been buried in Montpellier for the day just to understand some of the threats they have.
"We’ll see how the next 48 hours plays out, but at the moment we’re fully intent on getting ready and playing the game."
"It is a challenge for sure. Every team is going through it at different stages.
"Our medics have it at hand and they're in consultation with EPCR and the HSE and once we got the go-ahead to train today which was good for us, we had decent numbers out training today.
"A number of players had been pulled as positive cases or close contacts, so our medics are looking through that, and they’re in consultation with the HSE.
"It has its challenges but for the group we have out there training it’s just trying to focus on the challenge at hand which is Montpellier away."
By EPCR precedent, if the game cannot be played due to Covid-19, the team who are unable to play will be forced to concede the match, with a 28-0 bonus point victory for the side who were able to fulfil the fixture.
However, it remains unclear what the outcome would be should both sides be unable to field a team.
Cullen (above) added that dealing with an outbreak in the camp is more manageable than it would have been 12 months ago, with vaccinations ensuring players are dealing with milder symptoms, and the group becoming more familiar with the safety procedures.
"Everyone here is doing their bit to try mitigate risk all the time, and all the different safety measures that are in place, but there are some unavoidable aspects of society, in terms of guys doing normal things with their family.
"In terms of the symptoms that guys have, they've been a hell of a lot less, that's the slightly encouraging part of it. That’s not to say there isn't risk out there. I’m not being flippant in any way. It’s just one of those things we have to manage, we’ve been managing it for a good chunk of time now.
"In terms of our guys and the medical care we have, has been fantastic, we’ll continue to forge ahead," the Leinster coach added.
Number eight Caelan Doris was one of those who trained today, as Leinster ran a "hybrid" session to make up for yesterday's lost time.
The back row says the group won't allow the Covid uncertainties distract them from their preparations, as they look for a repeat of last year's impressive win against the French side.
"It's a little bit strange, trying to compartmentalise a bit and leave the worry to the medics. We’re preparing for the Friday game," Doris said.
"We’re all pretty excited for the game and prepping that it’s still going ahead and hoping it will.
"The excitement around Europe, you want to prep as best you can and you’re hoping the game is going ahead, so you don’t want to think about whether you’re positive or negative.
"We’re doing so many tests, and the situation is quite dynamic and is still unfolding. You’re prepping as if it’s going ahead and as if you’re playing and involved."
