Munster rugby squad in hotel lockdown in South Africa

The Munster rugby squad training in Pretoria, South Africa, on Wednesday. Picture: ©INPHO/Gordon Arons

The Munster rugby squad and staff were in lockdown in a hotel in South Africa on Friday night as the Irish Government advised against non-essential travel to southern Africa amid fears over a new Covid-19 variant.

Arrangements are being made to fly the 33-man squad and staff home as soon as possible following the decision by the United Rugby Championship (URC) on Friday to postpone all games in rounds six and seven of the competition, which were due to take place in South Africa this weekend and next.