Preseason Commences

Day one of preseason officially commenced today with the squad gathering in UL for the first session of the season.

With the early morning screening and testing completed under the watchful eye of Head of Fitness Aled Walters, players then made their way to Thomond Park to pick up their 2015/16 adidas Munster Rugby kit from Kit Manager Jack Kiely. Jack was on hand to welcome the returning Tomás O’Leary to the province below.

A familiar face picking up his gear from Jack Kiely – Welcome home @Tomas_OLeary pic.twitter.com/PhEGBrujsj

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) June 29, 2015

The remainder of the day comprised of squad meetings, and culminated in an on-field conditioning session with new signings Jordan Coghlan and Matt D’Arcy acquainting themselves with their new colleagues and surroundings.

Following on from their involvement at different stages last season Jack O’Donoghue, Darren Sweetnam and Dolphin’s Peter McCabe now all advance as development players while Garryowen scrum-half Neil Cronin will continue to train with the province on a short-term contract over the summer.

With Munster’s international contingent making their way to Carton House and the Emerging Ireland players not involved at this stage of preseason a number of academy, sub academy and club players will take part in the summer programme. Academy players in attendance today included Rory Burke, Ryan Foley, Ned Hodson, David Johnston, Sean McCarthy, Steve McMahon and John Madigan, and they were joined by sub-academy players David O’Mahony (Young Munster) and Calvin Nash (Crescent College Comprehensive).

View a quick snapshot of the new kit here.