Storm player forced to undergo COVID-19 testing after inviting guest into hub

Origin prop Christian Welch has been stood down by the Melbourne Storm after inviting a guest into the NRL bubble overnight.

Melbourne are currently based inside a hub in the Sunshine Coast with players freed from the bubble after midnight on Friday.

It is understood the guest arrived before midnight and therefore breached the NRL's COVID-19 restrictions.

Welch will not play against the Tigers on Saturday afternoon and is expected to be fined by the NRL.

The NRL Integrity Unit and the Queensland government have been informed of the breach.

More to come.