Squad Update | Preparations Continue For Scarlets

The Munster squad are continuing preparations at the HPC ahead of Friday’s URC round 10 clash against Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets (7.35pm, live on TG4 & Premier Sports).

There is good news for Cian Hurley as he has returned to full team training after a lengthy absence due to an achilles/ankle injury.

Simon Zebo will not require surgery on his knee injury and is expected to increase his training load and rehab with the medical department this week. There is no timeline on his return yet.

Roman Salanoa (knee), who had surgery at the end of last season, had a surgical procedure yesterday and will begin rehabilitation with the medical department.

Conor Murray, Jeremy Loughman and Oli Jager have all been released from international duty for the game and are available for selection.

Munster Rugby Academy duo Evan O’Connell and Ben O’Connor, who have both impressed for the Ireland U20s over the past fortnight, will train with the squad at the start of the week but are not available for selection.

Continuing to rehab: Patrick Campbell (shoulder), John Hodnett (finger), Paddy Patterson (knee), Jack O’Donoghue (knee), Dave Kilcoyne (shoulder), Diarmuid Barron (foot), Jean Kleyn (eye/knee), Liam Coombes (shoulder), Roman Salanoa (knee).

In contract news, Colm Hogan has extended his deal at the province until the end of March. The back three player joined Munster in November and made his first appearance against Crusaders at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

On the international front, four Munster players were in action for Ireland against Italy on Sunday.

Craig Casey, Jack Crowley and Calvin Nash all started with Jeremy Loughman featuring off the bench. Crowley and Nash both touched down in the win.

For the Ireland U20s, Ben O’Connor was Player of the Match and Evan O’Connell captained the side as they edged past Italy at Virgin Media Park.

Shannon’s Luke Murphy also started with Cork Constitution’s Danny Sheahan and UCC’s Seán Edogbo featuring as replacements with Edogbo scoring the match-winning try.

In AIL rugby, Academy prop Mark Donnelly helped Cork Constitution to a 19-17 victory away to Dublin University.

Academy no.8 Daniel Okeke and Academy prop Darragh McSweeney were in action for Shannon as they lost 28-13 at home to Lansdowne.

Academy centre/wing Fionn Gibbons was a try-scorer for Young Munster in their 25-10 loss at Terenure College with senior duo Chris Moore and Keynan Knox also in action for the Cookies.

In Division 1B, Scott Buckley scored a brace of tries for UCC and Andrew O’Mahony also started as they won 41-10 at Queen’s University.

Academy scrum-half Jack Oliver kicked three conversions and two penalties for Garryowen as they were beaten 28-27 at St Mary’s College.

Jack Daly, Colm Hogan, Academy prop George Hadden and Academy hooker Max Clein also started for Garryowen with Academy out-half Dylan Hicks among the replacements.