Munster Settle In Stateside Ahead Of Eagles Clash : Irish Rugby

The Munster squad are settling into life in Chicago ahead of Sunday's Setanta Challenge Cup match against the World Cup-bound US Eagles. Read on for more.

Declan Kidney and his players completed their preparations for the trip to America on Tuesday evening with a short work-out at the University of Limerick Sports Bowl. The following morning they flew from Shannon to O'Hare Airport in Chicago, with the flight offering some panoramic views of Lake Michigan.

Prop Eugene McGovern was the only player from the original squad of 26 players not to travel as he suffered a slight hamstring strain during Tuesday's training session in Limerick.

Among those who accompanied the squad Stateside were Munster Branch President Gerry Oâ00Loughlin, immediate past President Ken Lyons, Branch Treasurer Jim Riordan and John Hartery, Chairman of the Provincial Management Committee, the body that oversees the professional game.

On hand to meet the Munster squad when they arrived were USA Rugby official John Broker and Mark Campbell from County Armagh, who will act as liaison officer for the Munster party while they are in Chicago.

Today the Munster players took part in an open training session in the city followed by a coaching session with some young children from the locality. This evening the tour party will attend an Irish Consulate Reception at the Union League hosted by the Consul General of Ireland Sean Farrell.

Sunday's game at Toyota Park has an 8pm kick-off (Irish time) and will be covered live by Setanta Sports Ireland.

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne spoke to Irish Rugby TV about the Union's 2016/17 Annual Report, which includes increased investment in Women's rugby and addresses the challenges of funding for the game in Ireland.

The launch of a commemorative stamp to mark the Women's Rugby World Cup in Ireland was a special day for Women's rugby, team captain Niamh Briggs and her family. We spoke to her and her dad Mike at the GPO.