Leeds Rhinos player tested for coronavirus after Catalans Dragons trip called off

A Leeds Rhinos player showing symptoms of coronavirus has been tested and it self-isolating.

Rhinos decided not to travel to France on Friday for Saturday’s scheduled Betfred Super League round seven clash with Catalans Dragons.

Leeds' director of rugby Kevin Sinfield said insisted the club have taken the “responsible” decision, despite the threat of a possible sanction from the Rugby Football League for not fulfilling the fixture.

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The player at the centre of the scare has not been named, but trained with the first team on Monday before feeling ill and being sent home with antibiotics the following day.

Kevin Sinfield. Picture by Tony Johnson.Kevin Sinfield. Picture by Tony Johnson.
Kevin Sinfield. Picture by Tony Johnson.

Sinfield said: “He improved a little bit on Wednesday morning, but had a bad night and that led to him spending five hours on the phone to the NHS.

“He had full symptoms, however because of the volume of calls received they were only testing a very small minority.

“He was told because he had not been out of the country for 14 days and had not been in contact with anybody who has been diagnosed so far he would not require a test.”

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Sinfield said Rhinos were not happy with that and a private test was conducted on Friday.

“He is in self-isolation and his family have also been isolated and sent home from work,” he added.

“Until we get that result the player in question is trying to do all the things you have to do when you have a virus like that.

“It has been really tough and difficult for the squad, who found out yesterday.”

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Sinfield stressed Rhinos would have played if the game had been in the UK, but it would have been “really, really irresponsible” to travel and risk infecting people on the flight as well as at Catalans.

“It’s about making sure we look after people and do the right thing,” he said.

“It was pretty tough, but I absolutely believe we got to the right place.”

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