Squad Update

With preparations now underway for Munster v Edinburgh in Irish Independent Park on Friday week, get the latest injury, club involvement and contract news.

Donnacha Ryan sustained a concussion in Saturday’s loss to Connacht and will continue to be monitored by Munster medical staff.  Johnny Holland also sustained a concussion and is now following return to play protocols.
 
As a result the Munster second row did not feature in the one-day national training camp at Johnstown House in Co. Meath.  The remaining seven representatives – Keith Earls, Dave Kilcoyne, Conor Murray, Tommy O'Donnell, Peter O'Mahony, CJ Stander and Simon Zebo – all assembled on Sunday and have now returned to the province.
 
Dave O'Callaghan and Dave Foley are both expected to return to full training next week following respective knee (bone bruising) and ankle (ligament) injuries.
 
Shane Buckley sustained a hip-pointer in training last week, ruling him out of contention for provincial and club participation last weekend.

BJ Botha (knee), Mark Chisholm (concussion), Tyler Bleyendaal (quad), Denis Hurley (calf), Kevin O'Byrne (knee) and Peter O'Mahony (ACL) all continue to follow their respective rehabilitation programmes.
 
On the contract front, prop Peter McCabe has signed a one year development contract extension.  A pectoral tear saw the 24-year-old miss much of the competitive season but following his return, the versatile front row impressed in both club action for Dolphin and for Munster A in the final two rounds of the British and Irish Cup and the recent interprovincial against Ulster A at Naas RFC.
 
Meanwhile, Alex Wootton becomes the fifth player to graduate from the Greencore Munster Academy this season, alongside Rory Scannell, Sean McCarthy, David Johnston and John Madigan.  The winger and former Munster 7s captain has proven himself as one of Garryowen FC’s standout players this season while also becoming a regular in the Ireland Men’s 7s squad.  Most recently, the 21-year-old scored a wonderful solo try in the aforementioned interprovincial in Naas RFC.
 
Both players will remain at the province until at least June 2017.
 
In the weekend’s AIL action a number of the senior and academy squads lined out for their respective clubs.
 
The academy’s Ned Hodson, Ryan Foley, Tomás Quinlan, Liam O’Connor and Rory Burke all featured for Cork Constitution as they booked a place in the Division 1A play-offs by defeating Galwegians 26-16 at Temple Hill with Quinlan kicking three conversions.
 
Young Munster became the second Munster side to qualify for the 1A knock-out stages.  Academy representatives Dan Goggin, Gearoid Lyons and Ben Kilkenny all took to the field for the Limerick side as they defeated Lansdowne 22-3 at Tom Clifford Park with Goggin and Lyons both scoring tries and the latter also kicking two conversions and a penalty.
 
The academy’s JP Phelan, Steve McMahon, Alex Wootton and David Johnston endured a less enjoyable afternoon when Garryowen suffered a 59-5 defeat to Ballynahinch as the northern outfit rallied to avoid automatic relegation.
 
In Division 1B, senior representatives Cian Bohane and Peter McCabe, along with academy prop Brian Scott, lined out for Dolphin as the Cork side ended their campaign with a comfortable 29-8 win over St. Mary’s college at Irish Independent Park.
 
Cathal Sheridan was included in the UL Bohs side that secured 1B rugby for next season with a one point win (23-24) away to Old Wesley at Donnybrook, while Shannon closed out their league action with a 23-12 win over Buccaneers at Thomond Park.  The academy’s Greg O'Shea crossed for the try of the game with O’Shea’s academy colleagues Ollie Lyons and Stephen Fitzgerald also featuring for Shannon.

Next up, Munster face Edinburgh in Irish Independent Park on Friday April 29^th in a game that's crucial to their Champions Cup ambitions – KO 7.35pm

Be there to show your support for this must-win encounter in Cork.

Tickets from:

• Adults €;20
• Family €;40
• Juniors €;7

Purchase tickets online here, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices at Irish Independent Park and Thomond Park, or by calling 0818 719 300.

Hospitality
All hospitality for this game is now sold out.

For hospitality options at Munster v Scarlets at Thomond Park on Saturday May 7th at 3pm, please contact Anthony Morrissey on 087-6202530 or e-mail anthonymorrissey@munsterrugby.ie