Munster may need to call on a few of their Ireland internationals to make a competitive squad ahead of this Saturday’s Guinness PRO14 match with Ospreys.
The southern province have only played twice in November but those games combined with knocks sustained in Ireland camp have left them in a bad way heading into December.
The next five weekends will see Munster face Ospreys, a double-header with Leicester Tigers, Leinster and Ulster. The squad was already stretched going into November but the situation is critical right now.
Chris Farrell injured his knee in Ireland’s 28-19 victory over Argentina, last weekend. A release from Munster states:
“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.”
So, rather than welcoming back a player improved from the international rugby experience, new head coach Johann van Graan must an another player to the injured/rehabbing list. Tommy O’Donnell [AC joint] and Keith Earls [hamstring] also picked up injuries while on Ireland duty.
Added to that, Simon Zebo, James Hart and Stephen Archer all picked up knocks in last weekend’s PRO14 victory over Zebre. Tighthead prop Archer should be fine to play on Saturday but Hart [dead leg] and Zebo, who is off for further scans on his knee, are not cleared for action yet.
Munster’s current list of walking wounded
- 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)
- Tommy O’Donnell (AC joint)
- Simon Zebo (knee)
- James Hart (dead leg)
- Chris Farrell (knee)
- Tyler Bleyendaal (neck)
Holy good God.
Added to that, van Graan had to field questions on the future of captain Peter O’Mahony in his first press conference as Munster coach, on Tuesday, after reports emerged that he had rejected an initial contract offer from the IRFU.
Van Graan noted that a contract extension had been offered to O’Mahony and stated that striking a deal that suited all parties would be in the best interests of all parties.
New boss Van Graan says he will do all he can to keep Peter O'Mahony at Munster pic.twitter.com/e2ZULYqqxt
— Sinéad Kissane (@sineadkissane) November 28, 2017
The South African will have easier weeks.
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