Howlett Ahead of Schedule

Doug Howlett, who missed most of last season through injury is reported to be ahead of schedule in his rehab and is expected to feature in Munster’s pre-season match programme.

Good news too for Dave Foley (shoulder), Damien Varley (ankle), Duncan Williams (hip) and Johne Murphy (ankle) is that all three are expected to take some part in those August games while Niall Ronan (knee) is looking at a return to action towards the end of August or early September.

Paul O'Connell is also reported to be making steady progress with a view to a return to training at the end of the month while Ian Nagle (shoulder), Felix Jones (shoulder) and Troy Smith (knee) are expected to make a return to action towards the end of the autumn.

The squad are into week two of their pre-season under the guidance of Head of Fitness Bryce Cavanagh and coaches Anthony Foley, Ian Costello, Paul McCarthy, and team manager Niall O'Donovan who officially assumed his new role yesterday.

New head coach Rob Penney is expected in Munster on Saturday week and he will meet up with his new squad on July 16th, and then the internationals report back for duty the following week.