Top 14:
French international Médard
in hospital with 'swine flu'
03 July 2009
|
Maxime Medard: Hospitalised
with suspected swine flu
Photo: Michael Paler |
French international Maxime Médard
is being treated for H1N1 - 'swine flu' - according to
reports.
Médard
probably contracted the virus while on tour with 'Les Bleus'
in New Zealand and Australia.
The Stade Toulousain full-back/winger was
admitted to hospital on Thursday with a high fever and it's
possible more of the French tour squad could follow.
Top 14 Table
/
Top 14 Transfers
/
ProD2 Transfers
It is the second 'swine flu' alert to hit
French rugby following an earlier outbreak last month among
players of the French
Barbarians squad following their return from Argentina.
Two players - Jean-Baptiste Gobelet
and Stade Toulousain's Gregory Lamboley were treated for
the H1N1 virus, and training at Top 14 side Montauban was temporarily halted due to the suspected infection of
team medic Dr Philippe Izard, who was with the French
Barbarians in Argentina.
It is feared that more members of the squad
could be confirmed with the virus over the next few days as
test results are confirmed.
In Montauban, meanwhile, training was suspended
for several days and all squad players
sent to hospital for tests, although no further cases were reported in addition to Dr Izard.
Argentina has suffered the most deaths in
South America from the H1N1 virus, with 17 fatalities
according to the Argentine Ministry of Health. The first
positive case of 'Swine Flu' was diagnosed in France earlier
last month (June 18).
Elsewhere in France Jonny
Wilkinson's first public day of pre-season
training with Toulon attracted a huge 5,000 strong
crowd as he got his first real taste of the city's
passion for rugby.
"It's always surprising to see so
many people for a workout," said new head coach
Philippe Saint-Andre. "There were more people at
this meeting than for some games in the
Championship. New players were able to realize what
Toulon rugby is all about."
Last season's player Tana Umaga
remained strictly in a coaching role as he put the
club's backs through their paces, with Aubin Hueber
in charge of the forwards.
|
