MUNSTER HAVE RECEIVED a timely boost with two players who were regulars last season set to return to action after recovering from lengthy injuries as they head into the business end of the season.
But while centre Alex Nankivell, out since December with a hamstring injury, and loosehead Jeremy Loughman, who has been sidelined with a hip problem since October, will boost the options available to interim head coach Ian Costello and his coaching team, they are offset by Shane Daly and Oli Jager heading for scans after the Ireland A game against England A in Bristol.
Both could face lengthy spells on the sideline as they join an injury list heading towards the dozen mark in the Munster squad, although hooker Diarmuid Barron has completed his HIA protocols and is in the mix for Friday’s URC clash with Edinburgh in Cork.
Nankivell, who signed a two-year contract extension in December, made 19 appearances, 17 of them starts, in his maiden term last season after joining from the Chiefs but he’s been confined to half a dozen games in this campaign.
Similarly, Loughman, who made 22 appearances last term, all but three of them starts, has only played five this season after suffering a hip injury in October.
“The boys are tracking well. Yeah. They’re both back training, producing some good stuff in training,” said Munster defence coach Denis Leamy.
“It’s just to see how they progress over the next couple of days and how they respond to the load, the heavy load, and make a decision on them later in the week.”
Munster, having won four of their last five URC games, are hoping to win three league matches in a row for the first time in almost a year.
And Leamy knows that this is the time to build momentum, not least when Munster won three on the spin last season away to Ospreys they strung out the run to ten league wins in a row before their hopes were dashed by Glasgow Warriors in the URC semi-finals.
“We’ve won four of the last five games in the URC,” added Leamy.
“There’s a brilliant buzz within our environment, the group are very tight, very united, a great vibe to the last couple of weeks and we’re looking forward to the remainder of the season.”
Munster’s good form sees them go into this round in fifth place on 31 points but he’s expecting a tough task against an Edinburgh side who are ninth on 25 points and who can lean on former Reds out-half Ben Healy for some inside knowledge.
“We are very much looking forward to this Friday night and the challenge that Edinburgh presents,” added Leamy.
“They’re a very experienced team. Obviously, they’ve a number of internationals. They’ve got somebody who knows our environment well, in Ben Healy.”
Absolute huge news for munster.
@Patrick O’Sullivan: isn’t it a shame as we get 2 vital players back, we lose another 2 – Daly, Oli Jager to probable season ending injury.
The revolving door continues, hope poor Jeremy has healed, he looked baet up before his stint on the bench. Great to have an attacking threat back at 12, Rory in fairness has been really solid but ball carrying freak like Nankavilli is needed, if Jack is going to be twiddling his thumbs would rather have him back for Edinburgh, unlikely. Also Coombs or Gleeson need to start. It’s a must win with a bonus point game if we want top 4. Hopefully Campbell comes into the fold too.
Is nankivell eligible for Ireland.. and if so when ?!
@Gary Galligan: 2027
@Gary Galligan: He’s not and wouldnt get a look in even if he was. We have plenty world class centres in Aki, Ringrose, Henshaw and Osborne with a few serious young talented lads coming through in Gavin, Forde and Postlewaithe who are considerably younger than Nankivell. And the same goes for Tom Farrell.
@Harry O’ Callaghan: mister Boyle says 2 years time. Bundee Robbie Gary going on 30 …. Nankivell is better than all the younger boys
@Gary Galligan: So by he’ll be 30/31 with absolutely no international experience
@Gary Galligan: huge gavin is promising
@Gary Galligan: He’s definitely not better than the younger lads who’ll be playing for Ireland very soon. Nankivell is good but he’s no world beater. We have some young prospects who have the potential to be world beaters. We have to develop our own and build for the future. That’s how it works
@Gary Galligan: no point even thinking about it as knowing munster luck when he does his 5 years and is eligible, the all blacks will have a slew of injuries at centre and end up capping him against Italy in some random summer tour
@Gary Galligan: Osborne will end up a 12 I reckon.
@scott casey: NZ don’t cap players not playing in NZ. And knowing Munster’s luck? What because something similar happened with Frisch and he decided to leave ye then? It’s always ‘poor me’ from the Moansters.
@Patrick Breen: are you alright?. It was fairly late at night to be going on a rant about a joke comment
@Seanie: Wood and Kareem too.
@Gary Galligan: he’s not better than Jamie Osborne and Hugh Gavin could easily have a higher ceiling too