Squad Update
9th March 2015 By Munster Rugby
Apart from the usual bumps and bruises, there are no injury concerns to report following a physical encounter away to Ospreys on Saturday.
A positive that can be taken from the 26-12 defeat to the Welshmen in Round 17 of the Guinness PRO12 is the return of Donnacha Ryan to competitive action. Following surgery and extensive rehab work on a right foot injury sustained in March of last year, Ryan’s welcome comeback saw him introduced as a second half replacement and suffer no ill effects from a 20 minute stint in the second row.
The Munster trio of Ian Keatley, Keith Earls and Felix Jones – all of whom featured in Swansea – last night joined up with the Ireland squad at Carton House as they continue preparations for this Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash away to Wales at the Millennium Stadium.
Their return brings Munster’s representation in the Ireland squad for Rounds 4 & 5 of the championship to eight players – alongside captain Paul O’Connell, Tommy O’Donnell, Peter O’Mahony, Simon Zebo and Conor Murray.
This weekend sees O’Connell in line to win his 100th Ireland cap, having also won his first Irish cap against the Welsh in the 2002 6 Nations.
A break in PRO12 action sees the majority of the Munster squad on a down week before a return to training next Monday, while those rehabbing injuries, together with a number of recent returnees, will continue to follow their respective programmes this week.
Munster return to competitive action against Connacht in the Guinness PRO12 on March 28th at Thomond Park – KO 5:15pm.
Meanwhile, a mixture of senior, academy and sub-academy talent will take to the field in Nenegh Ormond RFC when Munster ‘A’ take on the Ulster Ravens on Thursday March 19th – KO 4:30pm.
