Squad Update

Following on from Sunday’s Guinness PRO14 round 9 victory against Zebre the squad gathered in the HPC today with Head Coach Johann van Graan preparing the players for the next stage of the campaign with Ospreys in Irish Independent Park on Saturday at 5.30pm.

Assessing the injuries from the bonus point victory in Parma the medical team issued the following updates for Simon Zebo, James Hart and Stephen Archer.

Zebo, who was replaced in the closing minutes of the game after he jarred his knee, will undergo a scan today to determine the full extent of the injury, while Hart, who was also a late withdrawal, will be reviewed by the medical team after he sustained a dead leg. Archer was treated for a laceration to his forehead and will train this week as normal.

On the international front Chris Farrell sustained a knee injury while playing for Ireland against Argentina on Saturday. The centre underwent a scan which confirmed a medial ligament sprain and returns to the province to follow his rehabilitation programme for the next six weeks.

Duncan Williams who was ruled out of the Zebre encounter with a shoulder injury will return to training this week while Tommy O’Donnell who is managing an AC joint injury is expected to take part in limited training.

Tyler Bleyendaal (neck) is continuing to work with the medical team for ongoing rehab.

Continuing to rehab: Ronan O’Mahony (fibula), Gerbrandt Grobler (ankle), Conor Oliver (shoulder), Dan Goggin (knee), Dave O’Callaghan (knee), Jaco Taute (knee), Niall Scannell (thumb), Keith Earls (hamstring), James Cronin (calf).

Ireland Defence Coach Andy Farrell was also on site in the HPC today as he linked up with the squad in providing training support to the backroom team.

Weekend representation –

Eight Munster players featured in Ireland’s win over Argentina as Peter O’Mahony, CJ Stander, Conor Murray and Chris Farrell started with Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Ian Keatley and Andrew Conway all coming off the bench.

While four Greencore Munster Rugby Academy players played in the win over Zebre on Sunday, there were also a large Munster contingent in All Ireland League action at the weekend.

Senior players Mike Sherry and David Johnston helped Garryowen to a 37-28 victory over Dublin University with Greencore Munster Academy man Liam Coombes scoring a hat-trick of tries and Johnston scoring one.

Five Academy players were involved in the clash between Young Munster and Clontarf at Tom Clifford Park as the hosts were edged out 23-22.

Cookies out-half Alan Tynan kicked two conversions and a penalty as Daniel Hurley, Fineen Wycherley and Gavin Coombes also started for Munsters with Jack Power at full-back for Clontarf.

Academy man Jack O’Sullivan started for UCC in their narrow defeat to Ballynahinch at the Mardyke.

Joey Conway was in the front row for UL Bohemians as they defeated Dolphin 13-6 at Irish Independent Park.

Out-half Conor Fitzgerald played a starring role for Shannon as they were 27-15 victors over Ballymena in Limerick.

Fellow Academy man John Foley started at no.8 with Fitzgerald crossing for a try along with kicking two conversions and a penalty.