Rugby star aged 31 suddenly dies ahead of Champions Cup match in France

Rugby star aged 31 suddenly dies ahead of Champions Cup match in France

Hyron Andrews, the 31-year-old South African lock forward who played for the Lions, has died suddenly in France whilst on tour with the squad ahead of a Champions Cup fixture against La Rochelle. French media first reported on Friday morning that a Lions player had been discovered unconscious inside a shower cubicle at the team's hotel on the Ile de Re, a small island linked to the mainland by a bridge close to La Rochelle. The squad had been based at the hotel since Tuesday. Paramedics were called shortly after 10am local time and found the player in cardiorespiratory arrest. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Emergency services tried to resuscitate him but were unsuccessful. The Lions confirmed Andrews' identity in a statement released on Friday afternoon. Andrews had previously spent two years plying his trade at Sale Sharks in the Premiership before making the decision to return to his homeland this past summer, signing with the Johannesburg-based Lions. The Lions released a statement paying tribute to Andrews. LATEST SPORTS NEWS Michael Carrick gives update on Lisandro Martinez situation ahead of crunch Man Utd and Leeds clash Spain fined by FIFA for Islamophobic chanting during friendly match against Egypt Reece James suffers another injury setback as Chelsea release statement on knee surgery It read: "The Lions Rugby Company is deeply saddened by the passing of player Hyron Andrews while on tour with the 10bet Lions ahead of their Investec Champions Cup and Vodacom United Rugby Championship fixtures. "This devastating news has sent shockwaves through the international rugby community. "The former Sharks and Sale Sharks lock forward was a valued member of the Lions family, and his loss will be felt profoundly by his teammates, coaches, supporters and all who had the privilege of knowing him. "Our deepest and most heartfelt condolences go to Hyron's wife, Maiglin, their young sons, and the entire Andrews family. "We hold them in our though