Squad Update
1st March 2016 By Munster Rugby
After a bruising encounter against Treviso on Sunday afternoon, reported knocks and bruises are currently being assessed in looking ahead to participation in tomorrow’s squad training session.
Those not involved at the weekend included James Cronin and Ronan O’Mahony who both underwent scans for hamstring tightness and the duo will continue to be reviewed by the medical team this week while Tomás O’Leary will be monitored for a groin injury with a decision to be made on the trio’s match-day availability later in the week.
After successfully rehabbing a neck injury sustained last October, Stephen Archer made a return to training last week and the prop is showing no ill effects after full contact and scrummaging sessions. The Corkman is in line to make his 100th appearance for the province if selected this week.
Peter O’Mahony (knee) has commenced on pitch running and continues his rehabilitation programme in addition to Tyler Bleyendaal (quad), Duncan Casey (pec) and BJ Botha (knee).
Head Coach Anthony Foley will name his side to face Dragons at midday on Friday.
Strong representation in the weekend’s AIL action saw a number of senior players line out for their respective clubs, while on the academy front, all match-fit players not involved with the senior squad also picked up game time with their clubs.
Due to Tommy O’Donnell and Dave Foley making the journey to Italy from London – where they were initially included as travelling extras for Ireland – academy second row Sean McCarthy joined Shane Buckley and his academy colleague Liam O’Connor in travelling as an extra to Treviso.
Johnny Holland scored 26 points for Cork Constitution as the Munster side handed league leaders UCD a 15-58 drubbing at Belfield. Holland scored a try and kicked six conversions in a game that also involved the academy’s Rory Burke, Ned Hodson, Ryan Foley and Tomás Quinlan with the latter two also getting on the scoresheet.
Jordan Coghlan and academy duo Alex Wootton and Conor Oliver featured for Garryowen as they also enjoyed success in Division 1A, defeating Terenure College 12-3 at Dooradoyle, while Dan Goggin, Ben Kilkenny and Gearoid Lyons lined out for Young Munster in their 42-25 loss to Clontarf at Castle Avenue – Lyons kicking a penalty and a conversion.
In Division 1B, academy talents Stephen Fitzgerald, Ollie Lyons and Greg O’Shea travelled with Shannon to Ballymena. Fitzgerald added a try and a conversion but ultimately the Limerick-men suffered a 30-23 defeat.
Kevin O’Byrne and UL Bohemian also came up short at the weekend, losing 42-13 in Annacotty to Dublin University and still remain in a relegation play-off position.
