Wootton Steps Up From Munster Academy, McCabe Extends Development Deal
With preparations now underway for Munster v Edinburgh at Irish Independent Park on Friday week, the province have issued some injury and contract news.
Donnacha Ryan sustained a concussion during last Saturday’s GUINNESS PRO12 derby loss to Connacht and will continue to be monitored by Munster medical staff. Johnny Holland also sustained a concussion and is now following the return-to-play protocols.
As a result, Ryan did not feature in the one-day Ireland training camp at Johnstown House in Co. Meath. Munster’s remaining seven representatives – Keith Earls, Dave Kilcoyne, Conor Murray. Tommy O’Donnell, Peter O’Mahony, CJ Stander and Simon Zebo – all assembled on Sunday and have now returned to the province.
Dave O’Callaghan and Dave Foley are both expected to return to full training next week following respective knee (bone bruising) and ankle (ligament) injuries.
Shane Buckley sustained a hip-pointer in training last week, ruling him out of contention for provincial and club participation last weekend.
BJ Botha (knee), Mark Chisholm (concussion), Tyler Bleyendaal (quad), Denis Hurley (calf), Kevin O’Byrne (knee) and Peter O’Mahony (ACL) all continue to follow their respective rehabilitation programmes.
On the contract front, prop Peter McCabe has signed a one-year development contract extension. A pectoral tear saw the 24-year-old miss much of the competitive season but following his return, the versatile front row impressed in both club action for Dolphin and for Munster ‘A’ in the final two rounds of the British & Irish Cup and the recent interprovincial against Ulster A at Naas RFC.
Meanwhile, Alex Wootton becomes the fifth player to graduate from the Greencore Munster Academy this season, alongside Rory Scannell, Sean McCarthy, David Johnston and John Madigan.
The winger and former Munster Sevens captain has proven himself as one of Garryowen FC’s standout players this season, while also becoming a regular in the Ireland Men’s Sevens squad.
Most recently, the 21-year-old scored a wonderful solo try in the aforementioned interprovincial in Naas. Both Wootton and McCabe will remain at the province until at least June 2017.