Heart condition rules Strauss out for the season

Ireland and Leinster’s South African-born hooker Richardt Strauss has been ruled out for the rest of the season after being diagnosed with a heart condition.

Leinster revealed that Strauss is set to undergo surgery to cure the problem this week.

“Following the result of extensive medical tests, it has emerged that Ireland hooker Richardt Strauss has been diagnosed with a heart condition and will be unavailable for selection for the remainder of the season,” Leinster said in a statement.

“The management are confident that the 27-year-old, who is set to undergo surgery this week, will make a full recovery and will provide him with the best care in his recovery.”

Strauss joined Leinster in 2009 and he has been an integral part of their squad since then, playing key roles in the 2010 and 2012 European Cup final victories over Northampton and Ulster respectively.

The 27-year-old made his Ireland debut against the Springboks last year and has won four caps.

He missed the whole of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign last year because of an ankle ligament injury.