Squad Update: Pre-Season Week 4

Following the return of Emerging Ireland players this week, the full Senior squad is now in pre-season training.

Victorious Nations Cup players John Ryan, Dave Foley, Billy Holland, Sean Dougall, Tommy O’Donnell, Paddy Butler, Robin Copeland, JJ Hanrahan, Ian Keatley, Andrew Conway and Johne Murphy returned to the fold on Monday and will follow modified pre-season programmes as they catch up with those now into their fourth week of training.

The province still awaits the arrival of its two southern hemisphere signings, Tyler Bleyendaal and Andrew Smith. Bleyendaal will join from the Crusaders following completion of his commitments with New Zealand provincial side Canterbury in the ITM Cup which is scheduled to finish in October, while Smith will travel north on completion of the Brumbies’ season. The Australian outfit have progressed to the Super XV semi-final against fellow Aussies Waratahs on July 26^th.

Munster’s Technical Advisor Mick O’Driscoll is absent from training this week as he completes his coaching badges on the Stage 5 Coaching Course (Level 3).

While this week also saw the return of Irish U20 players to the Munster Academy. Jack O’Donoghue, Rory Burke, Max Abbot, Darragh Moloney, Alex Wootton, Ryan Foley and Dan Goggin can take a lot of confidence from their collective role in Ireland’s best ever performance at a Junior World Championship, reaching the semi-final stage of the competition for the first time and finishing fourth overall.

Munster forwards are put through their paces at training yesterday.

Ian Keatley back in the 10 channel at training this week, with Simon Zebo and Keith Earls in support.

Munster Assistant Coach Brian Walsh briefs players on the next run.

Denis Hurley, Simon Zebo and JJ Hanrahan feel the 'bicep burn' in the gym.

Sean Dougall, Johne Murphy and Paddy Butler, three of the 11 Emerging Ireland players who returned to training this week.