Lions rugby player Hyron Andrews dies suddenly in La Rochelle on eve of Champions Cup opener
The Lions said that Hyron Andrews was a 'valued member' of their team and that 'his loss will be felt profoundly by his teammates, coaches, supporters and all who had the privilege of knowing him.' Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
The Lions and South Africa Rugby have confirmed Hyron Andrews as the player who tragically died at a hotel in France ahead of his club's Champions Cup match with La Rochelle.
SA Rugby said the 31-year-old lock "died after falling at the team’s hotel". According to local reports, Andrews was found unresponsive in a shower stall at a hotel on Île de Ré. Emergency services arrived shortly after 10am but were unable to revive him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The hotel confirmed to local website Ici La Rochelle that a psychological support unit had been set up for the Lions franchise's players and staff, as well as the hotel personnel.
In a statement, the Lions said that in honour of Andrews, they will play the match against Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle.
"This devastating news has sent shockwaves through the international rugby community," said the Lions.
"The former Sharks and Sale Sharks lock forward was a valued member of the Lions family, and his loss will be felt profoundly by his teammates, coaches, supporters and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
"Our deepest and most heartfelt condolences go to Hyron’s wife, Maiglin, their young sons, and the entire Andrews family. We hold them in our thoughts during this time of unimaginable grief and ask that their privacy be respected as they mourn."
Lions CEO Rudolf Straeuli added: “We are heartbroken by the passing of Hyron. He was not only a gifted rugby player, but also a cherished member of our Lions family having recently joined us this season. On behalf of our Chairman, Mr Altmann Allers, the board and everyone at the Lions, I extend our deepest sympathies to Maiglin, their young sons Hendrix and Emerson and the entire Andrews family. We stand with them in their sorrow and will remember Hyron with great affection and respect.”
The EPCR said that a moment's silence in Andrews' memory will be held before all Champions Cup and Challenge Cup games this weekend.
The tragedy is a remarkable, and somewhat eerie coincidence, occurring on the tenth anniversary of the October 16, 2016 passing of Munster legend Anthony Foley in not dissimilar circumstances in France.
On both occasions, O’Gara's team was set to provide the opposition – with Racing 92 in Paris a decade ago and in La Rochelle now. The South African squad are based in Île de Ré outside the city, close to O’Gara’s home. La Rochelle head coach O'Gara is believed to have visited the Lions team hotel to offer condolences and show support.
Munster paid tribute Friday to their own rugby legend Anthony Foley, who died suddenly in his Parisian hotel ten years ago on the eve of their Heineken Cup match against O'Gara's Racing 92.
O'Gara's own La Rochelle player Uini Atonio had a major scare after suffering a heart attack earlier this year, which forced his retirement.
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