Academy Update

We continue our monthly series with Munster Rugby Academy Manager Peter Malone as he fills us in on all things Academy.

Injury Update…

"Cian Bohane (knee) has been going really well with his rehab and will hopefully be back this weekend for his club Dolphin.

Corey Hircock (ankle) came back against Plymouth in the A game and played for Garryowen last weekend so he’s recovered well.

Shane Buckley was another long-term injury with his ankle which he went over on in Rotherham but he’s worked very hard on his rehab and we would be very hopeful he’ll be back with Garryowen this weekend.

Darren Moroney has re-torn his hamstring; he did it against Rotherham in Musgrave Park in December so he’s looking at 2 to 3 months on the side-line. He just needs the full rest now so we want to give him a big break."

Players In Action…

"A number of players were involved with their clubs in the All Ireland League at the weekend and all the Irish U20s players (Sean McCarthy, Ryan Murphy, Rory Scannell, Brian Scott, Darren Sweetnam) were obviously not involved as they continue their 6 Nations preparations.

They are the only players that head off at this time, and then after the Easter break we’ll have players involved with the Irish U19s and U18s Clubs and Schools.

So right now we have most of our Academy and Sub Academy guys and we’re just following the programme as normal."

Heading On Tour…

"Over the next few weeks we hope to get a few games for the lads.

We’re going to do a tour to Barcelona on the 9th of February, bringing a Munster Development Squad, including club, sub academy and academy guys playing a one off game against a Barcelona club selection.

Then like last year we’re playing a Russian select side again in April.

These are great games from a development point of view and are hugely beneficial."

B&I Cup Quarter Final Qualification…

"It’s great to be still involved and it’s been so good for the academy guys with a number of them getting game-time this year. It’s a huge experience for these guys to play these Championship sides away.

We don’t know who we’re playing against yet with games called off but the probability is that we will be away if results go as we expect.

There are a lot of good teams left in the competition like Newcastle, Bedford and Cornish Pirates and you just can’t beat the experience of playing teams like that. It’s a great learning curve for our young players and we saw that most recently when Brian Haugh and Darren Sweetnam made their A debuts against Plymouth in Temple Hill, it was great to see them making the step up."