URC chief offers key insight into crucial medical review

Last Friday it was revealed that two highly-anticipated URC games involving the Sharks and Lions would not go ahead as planned. According to a statement released, “due to gastroenteritis infections it was not possible for Ulster or Glasgow Warriors to field full playing squads”, leading to the first match postponements of this URC season.

UIster have since confirmed that both E. coli and Norovirus were found in tested samples after 29 players fell ill in South Africa.

ALSO READ | ELTON JANTJIES CHECKS HIMSELF INTO ‘DRUG REHAB’

“In order to ensure a duty of care towards the players involved and given the medical advice received from all key stakeholders, the United Rugby Championship has made the decision to postpone the fixtures,” a URC statement read on Friday. “The league will now move to examine potential dates to reschedule the games and will update in due course.”

The Lions were set to face Glasgow in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon, while the Sharks were then scheduled to face Ulster immediately afterwards. But these games were ultimately postponed.

VIDEO: BOK BOOST AS KOLBE DISPLAYS TOP FORM FOR FRENCH CLUB

URC chief Martin Anayi has now addressed the unprecedented circumstances in detail, while acknowledging that early indications suggest that the two teams might have brought the illnesses into South Africa with them. This comes at a time when many suspected poor water quality in Durban may have led to the problem.

“Initial indications are that the two squads were affected by two separate bugs within their groups, which means E.coli and noro were found among players,” Anayi told a media call, as quoted by Sport24. “There are also some indications that they might’ve brought it with them, so there’s a lot to go into. The medical review is ongoing and we’ll be going into that…

“Everyone agrees that the whole saga was rather bizarre, even the teams. That’s why we have an independent review ongoing. We must try and understand what happened.

“Friday morning was actually the first I heard of it as well. There’s definitely a need for us to adapt what our processes are for informing the league, fellow teams, broadcasters and fans when situations such as this one occurs. Again, that’s why this medical review is important, so that we can learn going forward.”

ALSO READ | ELTON JANTJIES OUT, ZEENAT SIMJEE RETURNS

Ulster provided insight into why their URC match had to be postponed

Following the postponement by the URC of Ulster’s Round 6 fixture, after an independent medical assessment, the Ulster Rugby medical team has now issued a squad update.

It was confirmed that 29 players and 13 support staff were unwell whilst in Durban in the lead-up to Saturday’s postponed fixture and that independent medical testing confirmed both E. coli and Norovirus in tested samples.

The club also confirmed that all precautionary medical, nutritional, and Public Health advice was adhered to prior to any member of the travelling group falling ill, and that the on-ground Ulster Rugby Medical team took all actions possible to prevent the spread amongst players and staff during the week.

ALSO READ | BULLS WIN COMES WITH AN INJURY COST FOR BOKS

Head coach, Dan McFarland, said:

“We came to Durban with our sights set on doing what, to this point, no other team in the URC has managed to do – the double in South Africa. This was going to be a huge challenge but exactly the type of challenge, as competitors, we look for.

“The win versus the Lions was a big physical challenge, and I was proud of the way the guys fronted. I am also proud of the way both Support Staff and Players have worked throughout these two weeks.

“We are used to travelling to South Africa and what it requires, and this level of sickness was unprecedented. Whilst staying in Durban, 29 players and 13 support staff were hit with BOTH E. coli and Norovirus. It’s disappointing, especially given how unwell our group was, that some chose to question the reasoning for our game to be postponed, as we have invested a lot as a group and an organisation in getting this fixture played.

“With players and staff now recovering, we are focused on getting home to start preparations for our upcoming Interpro fixture at Thomond Park.”