Two URC matches postponed due to 'gastroenteritis'

BREAKING NEWS: The Round Six fixtures between the Sharks and Ulster, as well as the Lions versus Glasgow Warriors have been postponed.

In a brief statement, the United Rugby Championship organisation said the postponements are due to "gastroenteritis infections".

The Irish province, Ulster, and Scottish franchises, Glasgow Warriors, are unable to field full playing squads.

"In order to ensure a duty of care towards the players involved and given the medical advice received from key stakeholders, the United Rugby Championship has made the decision to postpone the fixtures," the statement said.

"The league will now move to examine potential dates to reschedule the games and will update in due course."

The statement does not provide any detail, but reports out of Durban suggest that both Glasgow and Ulster players had been infected by swimming in 'contaminated' water.

The flow of raw sewage into the sea in the coastal city has been a problem for some time now.

The Warriors lost 12-40 to the Sharks last week and were scheduled to face the Lions at Ellis Park this coming Saturday.

Ulster, who beat the Lions 39-37 at Ellis Park arrived in Durban this week for their encounter with the Springbok-laden Sharks.