Squad Update

Preparations are now underway for Sunday’s PRO12 encounter away to Newport-Gwent Dragons and with an eight-day turnaround, the squad will gather in Limerick on Wednesday for the first squad session of the week.

Along with the usual bumps and bruises from Saturday’s physical encounter against Connacht at Thomond Park, BJ Botha sustained a concussion and was replaced at half time. The tighthead will follow the return to play protocols this week.

Conor Murray continues to manage bone bruising in his foot and his progress will monitored as the week continues.

It’s envisaged that both Mike Sherry (knee) and Tyler Bleyendaal (quad) will return to full training this week.

Tommy O’Donnell (hip) continues to progress with his rehab running while Peter O’Mahony (knee), Duncan Casey (pectoral muscle), Peter McCabe (pectoral muscle), Stephen Archer (neck) and Johnny Holland (hamstring) all continue with their respective rehabilitation programmes.

The past weekend also saw a number of senior and academy representatives line out for their respective clubs in the AIL.

Young Munster travelled to Lakelands Park where the academy’s Dan Goggin, Gearoid Lyons and Ben Kilkenny helped the visitors to an 8-26 win over Terenure. Lyons and Kilkenny were amongst the try scorers with Lyons also kicking two conversions and three penalties.

Ronan O’Mahony and Shane Buckley lined out for Garryowen alongside the academy’s Conor Oliver, Steven McMahon and Bill Johnston. The Limerick side welcomed UCD to Dooradoyle, however it was the hosts who suffered a 6-13 defeat with former academy and Garryowen scrum half Jamie Glynn sealing the win for the college men with a late try.

Cian Bohane travelled with Dolphin to Coonagh where the Cork outfit went down 30-19 against Shannon who were bolstered by strong academy representation from Stephen Fitzgerald, Niall Horan, Ollie Lyons and Sean McCarthy.

A late try from Darren Sweetnam and points from the boot of academy playmaker Tomás Quinlan helped Cork Constitution to a losing bonus point away to Old Belvedere in a game that also featured academy players Liam O’Connor, Rory Burke and Ryan Foley.

Finally, Cathal Sheridan took to the field for UL Bohemian in their 15-6 defeat away to Ballymena while Matt D’Arcy lined out for Clontarf RFC as the Dublin side played out a 23-all draw against Lansdowne.

Munster now travel to Wales to face Newport-Gwent Dragons in Round 9 of the Guinness PRO12 on Sunday at 2.30pm.

Head Coach Anthony Foley will name his side to face Dragons at midday on Friday.