Academy Back In Action

Pre-season began yesterday in UL for the Munster Rugby Academy and the Seniors make their return next Wednesday.

Academy Manager Peter Malone filled us in on the plan for the next few weeks.

"Tuesday was day 1 of the academy return and the day consisted of a few induction meetings, gym work, conditioning and skills. We’ve got nine academy players back. Five of our academy players were involved with the Irish U20s (McCarthy. Murphy, O'Donoghue, Scannell, Sweetnam) so they won’t join us for a few weeks, and we had 3 doing second level exams – Jack Cullen, Gearoid Lyons and Greg O’Shea – they’ll get an extra week off and will be with us next week."

The lads have had 5 weeks off which has been a very good break for them, and it’s important to get everyone back and set the standards straight away, and the other guys will fall in when they come back into the system over the next three weeks.

The academy guys are going to go up and train with the seniors for the next two weeks then so that’s going to be tough and it’s important they are fresh for it so that’s why it suits us to get them in a week early so they can kick on from there.

Everyone is coming back fit and ready to go, and I think the Irish U20s guys seem to be in good nick after their World Cup campaign, so I think we’re starting injury free, touch wood, which is a good place to be and the lads are fresh and ready to go.

We’re all in Limerick for this week, so Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning and it’ll be pretty hard for the 4.5 days. Tuesday included 2 sessions on feet and 2 sessions off feet, Wednesday is a lighter day with rehab and recovery, and then Thursday and Friday will be heavy enough again.

They’ll get a good break over the weekend, back in for another academy session on Monday and then they go with the seniors next Wednesday."