Foley & Hurley Attend European Launch

The new European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup season was launched in style today at the Twickenham Stoop. Representatives of the competing PRO12 and Aviva Premiership clubs were in attendance with Head Coach Anthony Foley and Denis Hurley representing Munster Rugby.

Speaking at the event, Foley confirmed that CJ Stander (pictured right) will stand in as captain for the group stages of the competition in the absence of the injured Peter O’Mahony. Last season’s Munster Player of the Year, Stander had already led Foley’s charges on four occasions in the league this season and the Head Coach is confident the former Springbok U20s captain can successfully lead his side in European rugby’s top flight competition.

"CJ's been announced as captain for the European Cup group, and that's where we see his influence at the moment.

"We've got great influence throughout the group, we've got a lot of leaders. We can't rely on one person, it's never been the case at Munster, it's always been a group approach, that's always been our strength. "The group must be the most important thing.

"He's moved over lock-stock, his wife is over here, he's settled his life in Limerick and is enjoying it at the moment. He's buying in and has got a great mentality and attitude around the place.

"It should be March in terms of Peter (O'Mahony), it's a fairly lengthy recovery. Big injuries are part of the game at the moment unfortunately. He will come back, it's a long road but hopefully we'll see him before the end of the season."

Munster open their 2015/16 Champions Cup campaign against Benetton Treviso at Thomond Park on Saturday week at 5.15pm – click here to purchase tickets.

A further tournament launch for Top 14 clubs participating in the 2015/16 European club competitions will take place on Monday November 9th in Lyon, host city for the 2016 Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals which are scheduled for the Grand Stade de Lyon on the 13th and 14th of May 2016.