Last Friday it was revealed that two highly-anticipated URC video games involving the Sharks and Lions wouldn’t go forward as deliberate. According to a statement launched, “due to gastroenteritis infections it was not possible for Ulster or Glasgow Warriors to field full playing squads”, resulting in the primary match postponements of this URC season.
UIster have since confirmed that each E. coli and Norovirus had been present in examined samples after 29 gamers fell ailing in South Africa.
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“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 assertion learn on Friday. “The league will now move to examine potential dates to reschedule the games and will update in due course.”
The Lions had been set to face Glasgow in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon, whereas the Sharks had been then scheduled to face Ulster instantly afterwards. But these video games had been finally postponed.
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URC chief Martin Anayi has now addressed the unprecedented circumstances intimately, whereas acknowledging that early indications recommend that the 2 groups may need introduced the sicknesses into South Africa with them. This comes at a time when many suspected poor water high quality in Durban could have led to the issue.
“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 informed a media name, 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.”
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Ulster supplied insight into why their URC match needed to be postponed
Following the postponement by the URC of Ulster’s Round 6 fixture, after an impartial medical evaluation, the Ulster Rugby medical workforce has now issued a squad replace.
It was confirmed that 29 gamers and 13 help workers had been unwell while in Durban within the lead-up to Saturday’s postponed fixture and that impartial medical testing confirmed each E. coli and Norovirus in examined samples.
The membership additionally confirmed that each one precautionary medical, dietary, and Public Health recommendation was adhered to previous to any member of the travelling group falling ailing, and that the on-ground Ulster Rugby Medical workforce took all actions attainable to forestall the unfold amongst gamers and workers through the week.
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Head coach, Dan McFarland, stated:
“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.”
