South African rugby side the Lions have confirmed the sudden death of player Hyron Andrews while the team was in France preparing for a Champions Cup fixture against La Rochelle.
A statement from SA Rugby said Andrews "passed away tragically, following an accident" and had "died after falling" at the team hotel. French media reports said the 31-year-old second-row forward was found unconscious in a shower cubicle at a hotel on the Ile de Re, an island off France's western coast connected to the mainland by a bridge near La Rochelle. Emergency services were called shortly after 10am and attempted to resuscitate him, but were unsuccessful.
The Lions said Saturday's match against La Rochelle will go ahead "in honour of Hyron". Chief executive Rudolf Straeuli said the club was "heartbroken by the passing of Hyron", a player who had recently joined the squad this season. The Lions said an appropriate tribute would be planned for a later date.
Andrews had spent the previous two years playing for Sale Sharks in England before returning home this summer. In a statement, Sale said everyone at the club was "devastated" by the news. He made 45 appearances for Sale and represented South Africa at youth level, but never featured for his senior international side. South African Rugby Union president Mark Alexander said the news was "terrible and distressing".
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing