Squad Update

The Munster squad, minus their international contingent, gathered in Limerick yesterday for a packed day of reviews, meetings and training ahead of Leinster in the Guinness PRO12 on St. Stephen’s Day in Thomond Park.

Those who were recently involved in the November series traveled to Carton House on Sunday for a pre-Christmas training camp.

While following on from the weekend’s Glasgow encounter it was confirmed that Johne Murphy sustained a broken nose and Sean Dougall suffered a laceration to the forehead, and both will be monitored this week.

The medical team also reported that Andrew Smith had an operation on his knee last Friday and is expected to follow a four to six week rehabilitation programme.

Head Coach Anthony Foley met with media post-training today and confirmed that hooker Mike Sherry is in good spirits following his latest shoulder surgery and hopes to see him back before the end of the season.

Foley was also positive about the progress Donnacha Ryan (toe), Damien Varley (foot) and Keith Earls (knee) are all making.

Ryan will advance to on-field running in the next week or so and once he masters that stage he will then look at scrummaging while Keith Earls is on track for a January return, with no confirmed date of return at this stage.

Axel also confirmed that Tyler Bleyendaal is expected to join up with the province at the end of January.