MUNSTER HAVE CONFIRMED that number eight CJ Stander was part of the Ireland training camp in Carton House today.
A squad of close to 50 players convened near Maynooth last night for a 24-hour camp under Joe Schmidt as preparations for the Six Nations build.
South African native Stander’s call-up was his first to an Ireland squad, having qualified to play for his adopted country under the three-year residency rule last November.
The 25-year-old was part of an 11-man Munster contingent at Carton House, while Ulster provided a further 11 players and Connacht had just four present in the shape of Ultan Dillane, Robbie Henshaw, Nathan White and Kieran Marmion.
Stander has been in superb form again this season for Munster, captaining the side in Peter O’Mahony’s injury-enforced absence, and some have tipped him to force his way into Ireland’s starting XV as early as the forthcoming Six Nations.
Ireland begin their campaign at home to Wales on 7 February, and Stander will have to force his way past Jamie Heaslip – one of those in contention for the captaincy after Paul O’Connell’s international retirement – if he is to claim his favoured number eight shirt.
Meanwhile, Munster say Conor Murray [hip], Donnacha Ryan [knee], Andrew Conway [bruised hip], Keith Earls [neck], and Dave Foley [dead leg] will be monitored this week as they look to return to action.
None of them have been ruled out of Saturday’s Champions Cup clash against Stade Français in Paris at this stage.
Munster have released centre Matt D’Arcy after the Clontarf man completed his three-month contract with the province.
- This article was updated at 18.35 to include Robbie Henshaw’s name in the fourth paragraph, after Kieran Marmion’s name was erroneously printed twice.
No way is he worth that. As an arsenal fan, let him go.. he’s done nothing to justify those wages…
@Connery83: he’s absolutely stealing a living. Horrible average player. Championship quality.
@FPL Thommo: stealing a living? Hahaha deluded
@FPL Thommo: championship player? More proof that you know nothing about football outside United
@Connery83: his agent must haven been listening to kenny cunningham
Way too much money on wages. Clubs should bring in a new scheme where every week you earn 50k as the cap. Then your match performances can decide whether you deserve an extra 100k
@Ollie Watson: so the owners pocket all the tv money instead?
@Ollie Watson: would much rather the players get the money as opposed to the fat cats
@Irishoversea: you should get it. Not the money now !
@Mrs. Nugent: ok
The only chance he has of getting that kind of money is if he lets his contract run out next summer and goes somewhere on a free
If a club is paying a transfer fee for him now not a hope of him getting that money
Must have the same agent as Lingard.. Madness
Another Walcott.. 5 years from now people will still be saying of the great potential he has
Hmm I’m not sure I believe this!!.
Ox will blow his career if he goes to Chelsea