TYLER BLEYENDAAL CAME through his long-awaited injury return unscathed and is in line to continue his comeback this weekend when Munster host Glasgow Warriors in Cork on Friday evening.
The Kiwi out-half replaced Ian Keatley during the second half of last weekend’s disappointing defeat in Cardiff after nearly five months on the sideline with a troublesome neck injury.
Bleyendaal showed no sign of rust during his 20-minute cameo and kicked a late penalty to secure a losing bonus point for Johann van Graan’s side, who were made to pay for a poor first-half display.
With Keatley linking back up with the Ireland squad at Carton House, Bleyendaal could very well start at Musgrave Park this Friday, and his return not only boosts Munster but comes in good time ahead of their Champions Cup quarter-final against Toulon next month.
Additionally, Tommy O’Donnell is edging closer to a return after a frustrating period on the sideline with a shoulder injury sustained against Ulster on New Year’s Day.
Ronan O’Mahony, only just back from a long injury layoff, will undergo a scan to assess a shoulder knock he sustained against the Blues, in what was his first start of the season.
Meanwhile, academy prop Liam O’Connor has undergone surgery on a knee injury he suffered before Christmas and is expected to be out for an extended period.
Jaco Taute (knee) continues to rehab and remains a long-term absentee.
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So he’s not going to Newcastle then
@Richard O’Brien: Thought he was a shoe-in for Derby County. Everything he needs there too.. sorry, except the bottomless pit of money.
@An Observer: your not suggesting that the reason he’s so successful is the cash he can flash are you. The citeh fans won’t like that
@Richard O’Brien: An awful lot more to management than money. Obviously he can buy whoever he wants but then he has to handle all those huge egos, keep them happy and get them playing for the team, which I think is the secret to his success. If it was just about money Mickey Mouse could be manager.
@ger o’ dwyer: thanks for the lesson and I don’t necessarily disagree but I think it takes a better manager to be successful without the cash
@Richard O’Brien: careful now, in the spirit of the 21st century we shouldn’t take the piss out of minority groups.
Great to hear a man with extensive knowledge of the game commenting about how good a league the premiership is, a lot of haters out their saying the premier league is a joke, because only one or two teams can win it, which is not to far from the truth, but the overall competition for placing is brilliant and always throws up battles for the winners, top four, europa spots and relegation.
@Devilsavocado: I mean isn’t that the case for most of the top leagues in Europe?
@Devilsavocado: style of football lacking still. Too many foreigners. Should see if this year was a one off in terms of Europe, Spain has pretty much ruled the roost for a decade or more on the club and international scene. Best players like Hazard still know the best gravy. Lots love the hustle n bustle of the premier league but prob know little else.
Earth to Chippy!?