Earls And Murray Train Fully, Sagario Extends Contract
Munster completed an overnight training camp with the second squad session of the week at the University of Limerick today as preparations continue for their European Champions Cup encounter with Stade Francais in Paris on Sunday (kick-off 5.45pm local time/4.45pm Irish time).
Having not recovered fully from a knee injury sustained against Leinster, Donnacha Ryan sat out today’s session, however Keith Earls (neck), Dave Foley (dead leg), Rory Scannell (dead leg), Conor Murray (hip) and Andrew Conway (bruised hip) all took a full part in training.
With Stephen Archer (neck) continuing his rehabilitation post-surgery, Munster have confirmed that Uruguayan international Mario Sagario has signed a contract extension that will see him remain with the province until the end of the season.
The Munster squad will travel to Paris on Friday with head coach Anthony Foley to name his matchday 23 for the rescheduled Champions Cup clash at midday on Friday.
Following his side’s timely returning to winning ways against Ulster last weekend, Foley is hoping the performance will breed confidence within the squad as they prepare for another formidable challenge away to Stade Francais.
Despite winning just five of their twelve games in the Top 14 to date this season, reigning French champions Stade returned to form last weekend when recording an 18-17 win over Toulouse.
Likewise, Munster’s fortunes changed for the better when they recovered from a five-match losing streak to win against high-flying Ulster at Kingspan Stadium – a venue where the men in red had not won since 2011 and against a side who had just recorded back-to-back wins over Toulouse in the Champions Cup.
Foley is now hoping his charges can reap reward from their interpro success, stating: “Wins breed confidence and sometimes it’s a habit you get into. You run out there and play victim, it was something we were careful not to get into.
“We wanted to not just play our way out of it, but grind our way out of it and make sure we earned it. That it wasn’t an intercept try that got it for us, it was hard work and effort.
“It’s massive to get momentum, it’s massive to get confidence and to see the character and commitment our players showed in the shirt. It’s now important that we take that on. I thought the boys turned up for one another and when things went against us they stood up and went back at it hard again led by the captain CJ Stander and by Ian Keatley.”