Squad Update

Munster players gathered in their respective training centres in Cork and Limerick this morning following Saturday’s hard fought win over Cardiff Blues in Round 7 of the Guinness PRO12.

With a number of players away on international duty, and following 11 personnel changes from the side that defeated Saracens in the European Champions Cup, Munster ended a nine week block of consecutive matches on a winning note with Saturday’s 24-28 win over Cardiff.

The Cardiff game also saw Rory Scannell make his first competitive appearance for the province.

With Munster’s next game scheduled for Friday November 21^st – away to Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade in the Guinness PRO12 – players are currently undergoing a conditioning week with Munster S&C staff ahead of a down week next week, while some of those rehabbing will continue with their rehab programmes next week.

Following an appearance from the bench in Cardiff, Stephen Archer last night returned to Carton House to resume training with the national side ahead of this weekend’s November Series test against South Africa.

Meanwhile, a number of contracted players also played for their respective AIL clubs over the weekend.
Sean Dougall, Niall Scannell and the Academy’s Ryan Murphy lined out for Dolphin in the club’s 22 all draw with Old Belvedere at Anglesea Road in Division 1A, with Scannell touching down for the Cork-men in the opening 40.

A wealth of emerging Munster talent was on display at Temple Hill on Saturday as Cork Constitution went down 9-6 to Young Munster. Academy centre Dan Goggin started for Young Munster, while development prop Martin Kelly played his first rugby rugby of the season. The Kilkenny native made an appearance from the bench for the Cookies after successfully rehabbing a calf injury.

Academy prop Rory Burke and Academy Hooker Max Abbott both lined out in the starting 15 for Cork Constitution, while Academy winger Darren Sweetnam continued his return to full match fitness following a knee injury, coming on as a replacement for Con.

In Division 2B, Luke O’Dea was amongst the try scorers for Shannon as the home side went down 21-26 to Belfast Harlequins at Thomond Park, in a game which also featured Academy full back Stephen Fitzgerald.

While Academy's Alex Wootton and Jamie Glynn also endured disappointment in Limerick over the weekend when Garryowen lost to Dublin University 14-8 at Dooradoyle.