Rory spoke to http://www.irishrugby.ie/ and said this :

"It was a big shock to myself and our family and came totally out of the blue. He was just out with Paddy (Wallace) walking in Bordeaux on our day off when he started to feel unwell," Rory explained.

"They got back to the hotel immediately and the doc (Gary O'Driscoll) got him straight to hospital. While we were all very concerned about him, he has come through really well and was in good form last night when I was with him. His wife Katie was there as well and he was up talking with us all, so he has improved an awful lot."

Following on from the positive news yesterday evening that Simon may be able to return home in the next 24 hours Simon was able to receive visitors last night. Eddie O'Sullivan and Niall O'Donovan, along with IRFU Management Committee Chairman John Hussey, were delighted to be able to visit him and check on his progress.

**Understandably everyone at Ulster Rugby including players, management, staff and supporters has been concerned about Simon, having received the news late yesterday evening that he'd been taken ill. This latest update seems more positive and we are all sending him our very best wishes for a speedy recovery and we look forward to seeing him home soon**