MUNSTER HEAD COACH Anthony Foley has confirmed that All Black Francis Saili will be arriving in the province this week.
The 24-year-old signed a two-year deal with the province in April, and after some time off following the conclusion of the Super Rugby season, the former Auckland Blues centre will meet his new teammates this week.
Saili is flying into the country this Thuirsday, and will be introduced to the squad the following day at training in Cork, as they continue their pre-season preparations ahead of the first friendly against Grenoble in just over two weeks time.
“We look forward to working with Francis and giving him the time to settle in. I’m sure everyone will be excited to see him run out in the red jersey in the near future,” Foley said.
The centre scored seven tries in his 42 Super Rugby appearances for the Blues, and has two caps for the All Blacks.
Munster have also confirmed that 28-year-old flanker Barry O’Mahony has retired from rugby with immediate effect after departing the province at the end of the season.
The brother of winger Ronan, Barry broke his leg in November 2014, and complications with his return means that he will not be seeking another professional rugby deal.
O Shea is diving all over the place when anyone comes near him and then he is complaining when a free is given against him when he effectively clothes lines a Galway player.
@Finnster: You could say he is hanging them out to dry
@Finnster: must be cold in Galway. They have the blanket well and truly out.
Mayo have been poor in attack. OShea keeping in the game. Galway can’t handle him.
@Finnster: pathetic from Galway at the end with the game won. OShea really has the patience of a saint. And he gets booked as well. Laughable.
@Desheen: agreed. Comer is turning into a very good player but he needs to stop the mouthing while it was pathetic by Paul conroy at the end. Galway still need to do it on a big day and in croker though, potentially a good team.
@Paul Mallon: I think Mayo still need to do it on big day in croker too
@thomas: yea fair point. Hopefully Galway really push on as the gaa need as many teams as possible competing come August time.
@Finnster: are you for real . We’re you at the game ? Mayo can’t take the beating. Galway are no angels but Mayo were filthy today.
@Finnster: and dey didnt beat de dubs in the final…
@Finnster: Mayo were drawn into it alright and are rightly no angles. I was referring to that specific incident. Mayo lost the heads also after that. Galway deserves the win but that was hard to watch. Fair play to them great start to d1.
It will be nice and spicy come the championship. How bad was the last ten minutes? Only heard it on the radio.sounded like a few cheap shots but I am glad Galway are showing some serious spine. Our football team was too nice for a long time.
Safe to say O’Connors league campaign hasent got off to the best of starts
@Sam Walsh: He’s good but he’s a liability, about time he was shown a red card
@Sam Walsh: hes no diarmud connolly.
@John Boyle: Maybe so but I wouldent be too worried if I was a Mayo fan. Still a top class side.
Delighted to see a ref brave enough to send that tramp O’Connor off. He’s always at it. But but but Mayo aren’t dirty of course.
@Ciara Baines: agreed , he was the same last year in the championship against Galway and now O Shea is at it. Galway slowly but surely coming good
@Ciara Baines: mayo are pure dorty . Dey were throwin gps’s at the dubs in the final last year