The Munster squad gathered in the High Performance Centre in Limerick today as they build towards next Saturday’s GUINNESS PRO14 match against Zebre at Thomond Park (kick-off 7.35pm).
The ins-and-outs of Ireland camp this week see Dave Kilcoyne and Jack O’Donoghue join the national squad in Carton House, while Andrew Conway and James Cronin have returned to the province, with Conway rehabbing a knee injury.
Five of Munster’s Ireland representatives – Peter O’Mahony, CJ Stander, Conor Murray, Keith Earls and John Ryan – all featured in Saturday’s dramatic opening Six Nations win in Paris.
On the injury front, Munster head coach Johann van Graan gave a positive update on Tyler Bleyendaal today, noting the out-half is progressing well with his neck rehabilitation, however the South African did confirm the play-maker will not be available this weekend.
“Tyler is taking limited contact and we should see him back in the next three to four weeks. I won’t say we’re out of the woods yet. Obviously he’s our number one concern and he’s looking after himself very well and so are the medical team. He’s a vibrant and special player and it’ll be great to have him back later in the competition,” said van Graan.
With his Munster side currently second in Conference A of the GUINNESS PRO14, and a run of fixture matches over the next month against Zebre, Cardiff Blues, Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh, the Munster head coach said there is ‘a real excitement in the squad’.
“We have done our planning, we are going to give a lot of guys opportunities in the next four weeks. The winning is very important but we also need to grow as a squad and put pressure on the number ones for the (Champions Cup) quarter-final coming up,” he explained.
“Scarlets will also be a big game, Glasgow is coming up, Edinburgh have been fantastic at home, Cardiff away is always tricky, going to South Africa for a two-week tour (in April). At this stage, it is only Zebre (we are focused on), but in terms of squad excitement, the guys can’t wait to go.”
Meanwhile, on the club front a number of players featured across the Ulster Bank League over the weekend. Among them was returning flanker Dave O’Callaghan who played the full 80 minutes with his club Dolphin at Irish Independent Park where it was honours even against Old Wesley.
Munster v Zebre tickets are available to buy online here, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices at Thomond Park and Irish Independent Park, or by calling 061 421103. Tickets are priced from just €;7, with family packs (two adults and two children) available for just €;40.
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