Squad Update

The Munster squad gathered in the High Performance Centre at UL today in working and planning towards Saturday’s Champions Cup encounter with Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park.

The squad are following a modified schedule this week with players and management yesterday signing books of condolence at Thomond Park, Irish Independent Park and at other locations across the province in memory of their colleague and friend Anthony Foley. 
 
The thoughts of Munster Rugby players, management and staff remain with the Foley and Hogan families and assisting them at this time continues to be the priority.  Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised, and details will follow once in place.
 
Following on from Sunday’s initial statement Munster Rugby would like to additionally thank the following parties for their assistance on the day, the staff of the Novotel Suresnes Longchamp Hotel, the local police and emergency services in Paris, Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason and her staff at the Irish Embassy, Aer Lingus support staff at Charles de Gaulle Airport and Declan Keane and his team at the Dublin Airport Authority. 
 
At an extremely difficult time, Munster Rugby could not be more grateful for the consideration and compassion shown from the wider community in the past few days and it is most appreciated at this time.
 
Meanwhile, with the Munster A squad scheduled for an away British and Irish Cup fixture against Doncaster Knights on Saturday, the decision has been made to postpone the fixture with a rescheduled date to be announced in due course.  Munster Rugby thank Doncaster Knights and the British and Irish Cup for their understanding and help at this time.
 
In explaining the decision further Munster A Head Coach Peter Malone said, “With the Munster A squad featuring a number of senior players, planning for an away fixture would not be suitable at this point in time.  We thank Doncaster Knights and the B&I Cup for facilitating our request in light of the exceptional circumstances.”