Squad Update | Preparations Begin For Bath

1st December 2025 By The Editor

Jack O'Donoghue has entered the return-to-play protocols. Inpho

The Munster squad have started preparations at the HPC ahead of Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup Pool 2 opener against Bath at The Rec (8pm, live on Premier Sports).

It will be Munster’s first competitive game against Bath since October 2000.

It is the first game of a Champions Cup double-header with Munster hosting Gloucester at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday, December 13, with over 33,500 tickets already snapped up. Get yours here.

On the injury front, Jack O’Donoghue failed a HIA on Saturday night and will enter the return-to-play protocols.

In player news, Michael Ala’alatoa has joined his new team-mates at the HPC after signing from Clermont Auvergne until the end of the season.

Following the weekend’s Energia AIL action, there have now been 118 club appearances for senior and Academy players so far this season in the AIL and Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup.

19 players lined out for their clubs on Saturday.

Ten players featured in the brilliant Munster derby between Young Munster and Cork Constitution. Two-try Eoghan Smyth, Mark Donnelly, Michael Foy, Danny Sheahan and Dylan Hicks helped Con to a 29-26 win at Tom Clifford Park. Shay McCarthy; Josh Wycherley, Conor Bartley, Evan O’Connell and Jake O’Riordan all featured for Young Munster.

Seán O’Brien was a try-scorer for Nenagh Ormond with Darragh McSweeney also starting in their away defeat to St Mary’s College.

Four players were in action for UCC as they won away to Blackrock College. Ben O’Connor and Gene O’Leary Kareem were both among the tries with Alex Kendellen and Seán Edogbo also starting.

George Hadden and Max Clein started in the front row for Garryowen as they were narrowly beaten by Dublin University at Dooradoyle.

Emmet Calvey started at loosehead for Shannon as they beat Galway Corinthians on the back pitch at Thomond Park.