Squad Update

There was positive news coming from the medical department this week with no fresh injury concerns following Friday night’s game against Scarlets, while a number of players are making a full return to training.

Mark Chisholm, Sam Arnold, Robin Copeland and Rory Scannell will all take part in full training this week.

Chisholm who last played for the province against Newport Gwent Dragons in March 2016 was forced to take an extended break from the game due to concussion. Following ongoing medical care and observation the Australian lock has now been cleared to make a return to full training. Commenting on his involvement, Erasmus noted “It is always great to see a player return to training, however, as player welfare continues to be our priority it will be some time before Mark is available to play as we give him every opportunity and the appropriate time to build up the required training and match fitness after such an extended break.”

A further positive sees young centre Sam Arnold back involved having recovered from a knee injury sustained against Doncaster Knights in the B&I Cup in early January. Similarly, Robin Copeland has completed his rehab for a thumb injury sustained in the same game to take his place in this week’s sessions.

Rory Scannell is also back involved having overcome the recent knock to his knee, sustained in Munster’s round 15 tie against Ospreys, while Jack O’Donoghue will continue to be rested for the ankle injury sustained in the same game.

Continuing to rehab – Jean Kleyn (neck), John Madigan (ankle), James Cronin (finger), Alex Wootton (shoulder), Sean McCarthy (knee), Mike Sherry (back).

On the international front no less than eight Munster players featured for Ireland in their 19-9 win over France in the 6 Nations on Saturday. Try scorer Conor Murray joined Simon Zebo, Keith Earls, Donnacha Ryan and CJ Stander in the starting XV with Niall Scannell, John Ryan and Peter O’Mahony all appearing off the bench. Missing last season’s campaign due to injury, O’Mahony made his first 6 Nations appearance since March 2015.

The night previous, seven Munster representatives were included in the Ireland U20 side that also defeated France, doing so on a 27-22 scoreline. The academy’s Calvin Nash captained the side with the returning Bill Johnston adding 12 points from the boot. Gavin Coombes featured off the bench with the remainder of the representation coming from the sub-academy ranks. Full Ireland U20 v France U20 match report here.

Finally, a number of contracted players took to the field at Irish Independent Park yesterday where Cork Constitution secured a five-in-a-row of Munster Senior Cup titles, defeating Young Munster 14-0. The academy’s Ned Hodson, Rory Burke and Vincent O’Brien all featured for the local side with senior representative Cian Bohane starting for Young Munster. Full Munster Senior Cup final report here.