Lions rugby player dies in France before Champions Cup debut

Summarised from 8 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 14:44 · Archive

A member of South Africa's Lions rugby squad has died at a team hotel in France the day before their Champions Cup debut against La Rochelle.

A player from South Africa's Lions rugby team has been found dead at the team's hotel on the Île de Ré, near La Rochelle, on Friday morning. The player, who has not been named, was in his 30s.

The player was discovered unconscious in a shower cubicle at the Atalante-Relais Thalasso hotel on the Île de Ré, where the team had been staying since Tuesday. Emergency services were called shortly after 10am. The player was in cardiorespiratory arrest when paramedics arrived. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Lions were due to make their debut in the top-tier European Champions Cup against La Rochelle on Saturday. The fixture is now in doubt. Two United Rugby Championship matches the Lions were scheduled to play in Scotland over the next fortnight are also uncertain.

The hotel management confirmed that psychological support had been arranged for hotel staff and members of the Lions squad. European Professional Club Rugby, the tournament organisers, confirmed that the player's family were being informed and said it would consult the Lions before making a decision on the fixture.

The tragedy occurred on the tenth anniversary of the death of Munster coach Anthony Foley, who died in his Paris hotel room on the eve of a European match against Racing 92 in 2016. Foley was 42. Ronan O'Gara, now the coach of La Rochelle, was Foley's teammate. According to French media, O'Gara visited the Lions at their hotel on Friday to offer his condolences.

Neither the Lions nor European Professional Club Rugby had released further details about the player's identity or the circumstances of his death as of Friday.

How it is being reported

• Rugby star aged 31 suddenly dies ahead of Champions Cup match in FranceHyron Andrews, the 31-year-old South African lock forward who played for the Lions, has died suddenly in France whilst on tour with the squad ahead of a Champions Cup fixture against La Rochelle. French media first reported on Friday morning that a Lions player had been discovered unconscious inside a shower cubicle at the team's hotel on the Ile de Re, a small island linked to the mainland by a bridge close to La Rochelle. The squad had been based at the hotel since Tuesday. Paramedics were called shortly after 10am local time and found the player in cardiorespiratory arrest. TRENDING…GB News · 16 Oct, 15:45
• Former Sale Shark lock Andrews dies at team hotel in La RochelleFormer Sale second row Hyron Andrews has died at his Johannesburg Lions' team hotel before their Champions Cup match at La Rochelle on Saturday.BBC News · 16 Oct, 15:33
• Hyron Andrews death: South Africa Rugby pays tribute to ‘gifted’ Lions star killed in ‘tragic accident’The Lions lock forward, who was in France on duty for his club in the Champions Cup, played for his country at Under-20 level and featured in the Prem last season for Sale SharksIndependent Sport · 16 Oct, 15:18
• South African rugby player found dead in French hotel ahead of Champions Cup debutA South African rugby player for the Lions team was found dead at a hotel in France Friday on the eve of a European Champions Cup game with La Rochelle, local media reported. The player's identity has yet not been made public.France 24 · 16 Oct, 14:40
• Lions player dies in FranceA member of South Africa's Lions rugby playing squad has died in France ahead of Saturday's Champions Cup fixture against La Rochelle.Sky Sports · 16 Oct, 14:12
• Rugby player in his 30s found dead in shower at team hotel in FranceA player from the Lions has been found dead at the South African's team hotel in France on the eve of their European Cup match against La RochelleMirror Sport · 16 Oct, 14:03
• Rugby player found dead at Lions team hotel before Champions Cup game against La RochelleSouth African side due to play Champions Cup game Player understood to have suffered a cardiac arrest A member of the Lions squad has been found dead in the team’s hotel before the South African side’s Champions Cup game against La Rochelle. The player is understood to have been found unconscious in the shower having reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest. The so far unnamed player could not be revived by emergency services after the alarm was raised at the Atalante-Relais Thalasso hotel on the Île de Ré. Lions players and staff have been informed and are said to be receiving support. Continue…Guardian Sport · 16 Oct, 13:35
• Rugby star from South African side the Lions dies after 'heart attack' - day before game in FranceA playing member of South Africa's domestic side the Lions has died of an apparent heart attack in La Rochelle a day before the two sides were due to meet in the European Champions Cup.Daily Mail Sport · 16 Oct, 13:29

In this story: Lions · La Rochelle · South Africa · Île de Ré · Ronan O'Gara · Anthony Foley · European Professional Club Rugby

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