Squad Update

Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus and the full coaching team met with media in UL on Wednesday afternoon issuing the first player update of the season.

Disappointingly, after only joining the province at the end of June, Sam Arnold has been ruled out of the opening period of the season after sustaining a knee injury during training. 
 
There was better news for Tyler Bleyendaal (quad), who is in line to return to action during the Kearys Renault Series at the end of the month as he continues to make good progress in training.
 
Francis Saili (shoulder) and Peter O’Mahony (knee) are continuing to follow their respective rehabilitation programmes, with Erasmus noting it would be “touch and go” on either player featuring in the opening rounds of the league.
 
Rassie also confirmed Johnny Holland is currently under medical review as he continues to manage a hamstring complaint, while Mark Chisholm has yet to return to training after sustaining a concussion against Newport Gwent Dragons in March.
 
Development player Sean McCarthy (knee) also continues to follow his rehabilitation programme during the preseason period.
 
As per previous seasons a number of additional club players are recruited to train over the preseason weeks with Conor Fitzgerald (Ard Scoil Rís), Alan Fitzgerald (Shannon), John Poland (Cork Con) and former Leinster centre Colm O’Shea all involved this week.
 
On the new arrival front it is expected that latest signing Jean Kleyn will join up with the squad next week, subject to being granted a valid work permit.