Munster To Play Connacht In Training Game In Galway
Munster today commenced week eight of their 2017 pre-season programme, with just under three weeks remaining until their opening GUINNESS PRO14 match against Benetton Rugby at Irish Independent Park.
As part of their build-up to the all-new GUINNESS PRO14 Championship, an extended Munster squad will play Connacht in a closed training game at the Sportsground this Friday. The behind-closed-doors clash will be used as a training exercise ahead of Munster’s pre-season encounter with Worcester Warriors next week.
Following his exploits with the British & Irish Lions this summer, in which he led the touring side against the Maori All Blacks and in the opening Test against the All Blacks, Munster squad captain Peter O’Mahony returned to the High Performance Centre today and will follow a tailored programme as he is integrated into pre-season over the coming weeks.
Fellow Lions, Conor Murray and CJ Stander, will return to the Munster fold next week, while the returning Ireland internationals continue to step up their pre-season involvement with each passing week. Simon Zebo is now back in full training following the knee injury he sustained during the summer tour to the USA and Japan.
Tommy O’Donnell is another player back in full training having successfully rehabbed the ankle injury that saw him miss the summer tour, with Robin Copeland and JJ Hanrahan (both shoulder) now having progressed to modified training.
Conor Oliver continues to be assessed for the shoulder injury he sustained in the fourth week of pre-season. Ronan O’Mahony (fibula), Dave O’Callaghan (knee) and Darren O’Shea (shoulder) are rehabbing their respective injuries as the competitive season approaches.
Munster travel to Sixways on Thursday week (August 24) to play Worcester Warriors in a pre-season match that could see them face former Munstermen Donncha O’Callaghan and Peter Stringer – kick-off 7.30pm with live updates available on @munsterrugby via Twitter.
In round 1 of the PRO14, Rassie Erasmus’ men face Benetton Rugby under the Irish Independent Park floodlights on Friday, September 1, while the following Saturday at Thomond Park, Munster host South African opposition, the Cheetahs, for the first time in the Championship. Tickets can be purchased online here.