A Lions rugby player has been found dead at the team's hotel in France on the eve of their first-ever Champions Cup match against La Rochelle, with the game now expected to be postponed

A leading rugby player tragically passed away on the eve of a Champions Cup match against La Rochelle in France. The player, who was part of the South African club Lions' squad, died suddenly on Friday morning, according to multiple French reports.

In light of the heartbreaking circumstances, it's anticipated that the match will be postponed. French media reported that a Lions player was found dead at the team's hotel in Sainte-Marie-de-Ré on Friday morning.

After being discovered unresponsive in a shower cubicle, paramedics attempted to revive him but were sadly unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Initial reports did not reveal the identity of the player, only stating that he was in his thirties, reports Wales Online. Hotel management informed ICI La Rochelle that a psychological support unit has been established within the hotel for both staff and members of the South African team.

The Lions had been gearing up for their debut appearance in the Champions Cup, set to face Stade Rochelais on Saturday. In a chilling coincidence, this tragic news arrives exactly 10 years after former Ireland international Anthony Foley's death.

The Munster head coach died in his sleep just a day before his team were scheduled to play Racing 92 in their opening Champions Cup match in 2016.

That match was also postponed. A decade later, Munster are planning to pay tribute to Foley ahead of their match this weekend.

Foley's ex-Munster and Ireland colleague, Ronan O'Gara, was a member of Racing's coaching team back in 2016.

The former British and Irish Lions fly-half currently serves as the head coach for Stade Rochelais.

Reports from Ireland suggest that O'Gara is set to visit the Lions' team hotel to express his condolences and demonstrate support.