Positive Injury News For Bleyendaal And Wootton
Munster continued preparations for next Saturday’s GUINNESS PRO12 semi final against the Ospreys at UL today with positive news on the injury front for both Tyler Bleyendaal and Alex Wootton.
Tyler Bleyendaal and Alex Wootton sustained bicep and hamstring injuries respectively during the province’s round 22 win over Connacht at Thomond Park, but director of rugby Rassie Erasmus today confirmed that both players are expected to return to full training this week.
The news comes as a welcome boost ahead of the PRO12 semi-final showdown with the Ospreys in Limerick at 6.15pm on Saturday. Semi-final tickets can be purchased online here, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices or by calling 061 421103.
Meanwhile, following limited game-time this season, Munster have confirmed that the Academy prop JP Phelan and utility back Stephen Fitzgerald will travel to Australia for the summer months where they will line out for Bond University.
The following players are currently on Munster’s injury list – Ronan O’Mahony (fibula), Robin Copeland (shoulder), Jean Kleyn (neck), Dave Foley (wrist), Sean McCarthy (knee), Mike Sherry (back) and Dave O’Callaghan (knee).
Ahead of Munster’s second semi-final of what has been a very encouraging first campaign under Erasmus, centre Rory Scannell said; “It’s been a good season as a squad, but we were very disappointed with the Saracens game. We didn’t show up on the day so hopefully we won’t lose two. We reviewed it quite a bit. We know what we did wrong and why we didn’t come close to beating them.
“It’s just about building on that. In games against the top teams in Europe you get three or four chances to put away a try and we didn’t put them away. Saracens were clinical. When they got the chances to score they took them and that’s the difference.
“We were a bit conservative in our attack. When we got those chances in their 22 we didn’t take them, and that’s the main thing we really learned from that game.
“The Ospreys have threats all over the field, a lot of international players. (Rhys) Webb and (Dan) Biggar are probably their key men. They have been unbelievable for Ospreys and Wales the last few years so if we can shut them down we have a pretty good chance.
“But we have a lot of dangerous backs ourselves. Hopefully I can look to put a few of those guys away in the next few games.”