MUNSTER COACH JOHANN van Graan said that the Six Nations call-up for prop Jeremy Loughman is the latest twist in an incredible journey.
The 26-year old, who was born in Nevada and grew up in Athy, was van Graan’s first signing for Munster and he’s thrilled for him that he’s now in the Irish squad.
“It’s great for him to be called up to the national team,” said van Graan. “If you think back to 2017 when I joined Munster, he was the first player that I signed. We had an injury crisis the week that I arrived and we brought him from Dublin, so he’s the first new guy that came to Munster while I was there.
“An incredible journey that he has been on, coming from club land, making his way through the PRO14 at that stage. I remember that European game against the Ospreys when he threw that ridiculous pass from left to right to Andrew Conway when he was man of the match. And he has just become one of those guys, week in, week out, is available.
“His scrummaging has come on a lot and just for him to be at the national team is just brilliant. It couldn’t happen to a nice bloke who has worked really hard. Like we said, the more guys we can have with the national team the better.”
Van Graan might have expected Loughman to have been on the plane on Sunday as they head for South Africa for their re-fixed games against his former club the Bulls this Saturday and the Lions the following week.
Van Graan said they have settled in well to their training base in Pretoria and are hopeful that there will not be any Covid issues this time after the tour turned into a disaster before Christmas when the games were called off.
“We spoke as a group a few weeks ago and said that what happened is in the past. It was very unfortunate that we got stuck, that a lot of our lads got stuck and most of us got Covid and the effect that had on the group.
“But now a fresh start, everyone is in great spirits. We flew from Dublin to Paris after making our way from Cork and Limerick on Sunday, spent about five hours at Charles de Gaulle, then flew overnight to Johannesburg and got on the bus and into Pretoria around lunchtime yesterday (MON).
“We had a bit of a recovery, then had dinner together last night and then a training session this (TUES) morning and everyone is in great spirits. The weather is fantastic and looking forward to the week.”
Springbok World Cup winner Damian de Allende has fully recovered from an abdomen injury as Munster prepare for the challenges of the next two weekends without nine Irish internationals.
“Damian was part of training today, obviously fit to play and we will decide later in the week how we are going to use him whether it is this weekend or next weekend,” added van Graan.
I’m a united fan, but, in united, the Glazers have their own personal license to print money, (literally billions). The only way they’ll ever be gotten rid of is legislation, or if its no longer profitable.
Media/social media pressure, will make zero difference.
@Martin Malone: Social media pressure is making a huge difference. Team Viewer who recently partnered with the glazers at United saw stocks fall by 4% in one day. Trustpilot now banning reviews pn them after all the negativity. Once sponsors start falling, the Glazers become out of pocket and will sell
@Hugh: I genuinely hope you’re right …I just think news comes and goes so quick these days ..In a few weeks it will be as if nothing has happened…we’ll pay over the odds for Sancho…and all will be forgotten… we’ll pick up odd cups here and there…and eventually when the club is no longer as profitable…it will be sold. Hope ta f I’m wrong.
Get out of my club and take your debt with you.
@Jason Flynn-Wall: to be fair it’s his club
@thomas walsh: how do Mancunians find their way to our 42 page?
@Joe: beats me
Their rattled, promise the sun moon and stars now..
I don’t support United. But i certainly don’t support the glazers either.
Gary Neville mentioned the ground at old Trafford is in dire need of upgrading , rats were reported seen around the seats last year and so forth , he said the glaziers are siphoning money out of the club etc . I’m lost in wonder when I consider the glazers have pumped almost a billion in to buying players , they’ve won numerous trophies and sacked managers the fans weren’t happy with . Sir Alex never complained about them and I think he wouldn’t hold back if he thought the club was being wronged , especially when he had nothing to lose at the end of his reign .They are business people at the end of the day . The recent rioting by united yobs was disgraceful , the decent ones are disgusted I’d imagine ? A peaceful one should have been the norm .
@Tricksy: glazers bought the club with a loan
Transferred the debt of the loan to the club
Have put $0 of their own money back into the club
All transfers have came from revenue
They have taken 2 billion from the club
Agree with the peaceful protest.
@Pauly Kels: previous Liverpool owner hick s and Gillett did the exact same and nearly put the club out of business , but they never sourced transfers like the Glazers Pauly . It seems this is an American business model ? Don’t think if fsg came under the same model but definitely the price they paid is only a pittance to what it’s worth now . I think the breakaway would destroy the game , but the fiddler calls the tune and it won’t go away .Sir Alex always had me wondering about why he stayed quiet on the Glazers . Stan kronke put a brand new stadium around Arsenal , so what owners do isn’t all bad .
@Tricksy: lfc were very lucky hicks and gillett owernship only lasted 3.5 years, this is going on 16 yrs with utd.the transfers that were sourced all funds were made available from revenue not a cent from the glazers pockets.yes exactly that breakaway would have destroyed football.
Straight out of the ‘row with the missus’ playbook.
There’s only one winner here bud
If they’re not going to reduce the mountain of debt they’ve lumped on the club then this letter is useless as that’s really the core issue most fans have. If they don’t reduce debt then they can feck off. They’re only parasites feeding off the club.
Thw money from united went to gwt tom brandy to to the Bucs. They win thw super bowl and the money stays in Tampa
Orignally when they bought the bucs. They wanted a new stadium or they moved. The Tampa government built one. Been there a few times fine place. But again a freebee. Ols Trafford hasnt been updated in years, it will fall behind the rest. All because of greed.
They want you all out not talking more
They should f off back to Jacksonville
The horse has bolted long ago. No point in closing the door now Joel.