Lions player dies in France

A member of South Africa's Lions rugby playing squad has died in France ahead of Saturday's Champions Cup fixture against La Rochelle.

According to French media reports, the player 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 - where the team had ‌been staying since Tuesday.

Emergency services were called shortly after 10am and attended to the player, who was in ⁠cardiorespiratory arrest. Attempts to resuscitate ​him were unsuccessful, the reports ​added.

The Lions were due to make ​their debut in the competition, but ⁠the match is now in doubt, as are two more matches in ⁠Scotland in the United ​Rugby Championship that they were due ​to play over the next fortnight.

Management at the Hôtel Atalante - Relais Thalasso, where the Lions were staying, confirmed that psychological support had been arranged for hotel staff and members of the South African team.

The player's identity has not yet been disclosed.