Edinburgh Rugby academy player tests positive for coronavirus after four attend house party

An academy player at Edinburgh Rugby has tested positive for Covid-19 - after going to a house party alongside three teammates.

Scotland's national clinical director Professor Jason Leitch broke the news on Friday afternoon, saying it was 'hugely disappointing'.

All four individuals involved are self-isolating after breaking the rules on social gatherings and protocols which allowed elite rugby to resume.

In a statement, Edinburgh Rugby bosses say they're considering what action to take.

Speaking at the Scottish Government's coronavirus briefing on Friday, Prof Leitch said: "This is clearly unacceptable and I'm personally disappointed that after all the hard work that's gone into the return of elite sport with the rugby authorities that this has happened.

"All four players are now self-isolating and their contacts, including those at the gathering, are being traced.''

Prof Leitch confirmed the European Challenge Cup quarter-final fixture between Edinburgh's first team and Bordeaux in France on Saturday can be played.

He explained NHS Lothian and a health protection scheme have examined training footage, squad GPS data and the club's safety measures.

"Based on that, they have advised that it is safe for the squad to travel to France and for the match to go ahead,'' he said.

He added: "This is a hugely disappointing incident for us and for rugby.

"Rugby, like other performance sports, has been given the go-ahead on the strict condition that clubs and players abide by the guidance that has been agreed.

"That's a message that we have re-emphasised very strongly to the relevant parties yesterday and today.

"I spoke yesterday and this morning to the leaders at Scottish Rugby and they are taking this incident very seriously indeed.

"I've asked them to check and recheck their protocols and procedures and report back to me a week today.''

In their statement, Scottish Rugby and Edinburgh Rugby thanked the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland "for sharing their respective expertise and advice in the handing of this case''.

They added: "We would treat a suspected breach of our own and the government's public health guidelines extremely seriously and will take appropriate actions and steps as required.

"Our priority is to ensure the health and safety of our players and staff, and we will continue to closely monitor and support all relevant individuals.''

"Both Edinburgh Rugby and Scottish Rugby will also continue to work with the Scottish Government and the Lothian Health Protection Team around any further matters arising from these circumstances.''

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