Rugby player dies in France ahead of match between Johannesburg-based Lions and La Rochelle

A Lions rugby player was found dead in a hotel shower on Friday morning, just before the team's first-ever Champions Cup match, according to reports from France. The player was discovered unresponsive in cardiac arrest at the hotel in Sainte-Marie-de-Ré on the French island of Île de Ré, where the Lions were training for their upcoming match against La Rochelle.

Emergency services arrived at the scene around 10:20am but were unable to revive the player. The hotel informed a French publication that a psychological support unit has been established within the hotel for both staff and players. The Lions and La Rochelle were scheduled to play at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre on Saturday at 6:30pm, marking the Lions' first-ever Champions Cup encounter with the French side since qualifying for the higher-tier competition last season.

The Lions' union expressed deep sadness upon receiving the distressing news from France and confirmed they would provide a statement. This breaking news story is expected to be updated as more information becomes available.