In Pics: Preparations For Grenoble

See our training gallery and get the thoughts of Head Coach Anthony Foley as Munster continue preparations for this Friday’s clash with Grenoble in the Kearys Renault Series at Thomond Park.

With the usual pre-season experimentation expected in the coming weeks and with seven players currently in Ireland camp, a number of players from the sub-academy, academy and club ranks continue to train with the squad including Bill Johnston and Sean O’Connor (both sub-academy), Young Munster and Ireland 7s player Diarmuid McCarthy and former Gloucester winger Shane Monahan.

Garryowen's Neil Cronin had also been training with the squad prior to sustaining an ankle injury, while centre Denis Hurley received a bang to his ankle in yesterday's action and is currently being assessed by the Munster medical team.

Click here to see our training gallery.

Foley met with media following the session in UL and discussed the recent arrival of new signing Francis Saili from the Auckland Blues.

“Obviously we were keen with the World Cup players away and potentially missing players. We were looking at whether we needed to get World Cup cover in and we managed to negotiate an early release and are fortunate enough for Francis to be over here and training well.

“He moved over only last week and has got to catch up on sleep and stuff like that. We want to make sure he’s settled in, that he gets to know the lads, make sure he’s got the calls and we’ll see where he goes from there.”

On the question of Tyler Bleyendaal’s involvement this weekend, Foley said, “You’ll definitely see Tyler on Friday night and I’m looking forward to seeing him in the red jersey at Thomond Park. At the moment he’s running 10/12 and he’s very comfortable in both positions.”

The Munster boss also discussed the unfortunate hip dislocation suffered by Tommy O’Donnell in Ireland’s win over Wales on Saturday, an injury that has ruled O’Donnell out of contention for next month’s Rugby World Cup.

“It’s unfortunate, we all have a vested interest in Tommy but more so for the lad himself. Our thoughts are with him and we hope he gets a speedy recovery.

“He has been excellent over the last 12 months or so. He has done everything that Joe Schmidt has asked of him and he was playing really well in the game against Wales.

“I spoke to Tommy yesterday. Obviously, he is crestfallen but he also knows he is in a situation that he needs to get out of, work hard and get back into rugby.

“In fairness to Eanna Falvey and the IRFU medical staff, they will look after him very well while they have him.”

Munster v Grenoble, Kearys Renault Series, Friday August 14^th at Thomond Park – KO 7pm.
Tickets can be purchased online here, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices at Thomond Park and Irish Independent Park, or by calling 0818 719 300.