Squad Update

Off the back of a tight five day turnaround last week, the squad are currently availing of a nine day preparation window for the challenge of Treviso in Round 16 of the Guinness PRO12 at the Stadio Monigo on Sunday at 3pm.

On the injury front, Robin Copeland sustained a concussion in the opening 40 against Glasgow Warriors on Friday night and will follow return to play protocols this week.
 
Tommy O'Donnell has recovered from an illness that saw him withdrawn early in the second half and has re-joined the Ireland training squad this week.
 
Francis Saili, who sustained a concussion in the loss to Ospreys in Round 14, is in the final stages of his return to play protocols.  The centre is expected to be available for selection this week.
 
After undergoing surgery and rehabilitation for a neck injury sustained in October's PRO12 game against Glasgow, Stephen Archer is expected to take a full part in training this week.  The prop is just one appearance short of the 100 cap milestone for the province.
 
Dave O’Callaghan (rib) will return to modified contact training this week.
 
Tyler Bleyendaal (quad), Duncan Casey (pec), BJ Botha (knee) and Peter O'Mahony (knee) all continue with their respective rehabilitation programmes.
 
Head Coach Anthony Foley will name his side to face Treviso at midday on Friday. 
 
O’Donnell was one of seven Munster players named in Joe Schmidt’s Ireland training squad for Round 3 of the RBS 6 Nations.  Joining O’Donnell in the 34 man squad are Donnacha Ryan, CJ Stander, Keith Earls, Conor Murray, Simon Zebo and Dave Foley who is named in his first training squad of the current campaign.
 
Ireland face England at Twickenham on Saturday at 4.50pm with Schmidt to name his matchday 23 at lunchtime on Thursday.
 
Meanwhile, Ireland Team Manager Mick Kearney yesterday confirmed that Andy Farrell will commence his role as Defence Coach with the national squad on April 1^st, at which time Farrell will end his advisory role with Munster.
 
On the club front, senior representatives Peter McCabe, Shane Buckley, Cathal Sheridan, Kevin O'Byrne and Jordan Coghlan all lined out for their respective clubs in the weekend’s AIL action.
 
McCabe featured in Dolphin’s 23-22 win over Belfast Harlequins at Irish Independent Park while Buckley and Coghlan travelled to Crowley Park with Garryowen where the Limerick side went down 30-17 to Galwegians.
 
Sheridan and O’Byrne took the field for UL Bohemian as the college men enjoyed a 22-25 local derby win over Shannon at Thomond Park.  Academy talents Greg O’Shea, Stephen Fitzgerald and Ollie Lyons featured for Shannon.
 
Elsewhere on the academy front, Gearoid Lyons, Dan Goggin and Ben Kilkenny helped Young Munster to a 7-6 win over Ballynahinch at Tom Clifford Park, while in Cork, Ned Hodson, Ryan Foley, Liam O’Connor and Tomás Quinlan lined out for Cork Constitution at Temple Hill with the hosts suffering a 12-18 defeat to Clontarf.