LAST UPDATE | 19 May 2020
MUNSTER SAY NEW signing Damian de Allende has already completed his 14-day self-isolation period in Ireland after arriving earlier this month.
The World Cup winner will officially join Munster from 1 July, as will his Springboks team-mate RG Snyman.
Snyman is expected to land into Ireland later this month, while Saracens fullback Matt Gallagher is due to make his switch in June.
That means all three players will be in the country and available to play for Munster from July onwards – although the Pro14 has yet to officially confirm whether new signings will be eligible to feature if the 2019/20 season is concluded in the coming months.
It is expected that the Pro14 will finalise a decision tomorrow, with indications being that new signings such as de Allende and Snyman will be allowed to feature if the 2019/20 campaign is finished.
It has been proposed that all provinces and clubs will register squads to cover the conclusion of the 2019/20 season and the 2020/21 campaign.
Munster say that current government measures require passengers landing into Ireland to complete a public health passenger locator form and to self-isolate for a 14-day period.
De Allende has already done so – it’s understood he stayed in a Limerick hotel for the two weeks – and the province say the 29-year-old will now use the weeks ahead to “finalise living arrangements and settle into his new life in Limerick.”
De Allende and Snyman had been playing club rugby in Japan before the cancellation of the Top League due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
23-year-old Gallagher, who is Irish-qualified, will be an interesting addition for Munster, offering an option at 15 and on the wing.
Munster have also signed tighthead prop Roman Salanoa from Leinster.
First published today at 14.00
Savage stuff, can’t wait to see him and Farrell together in the flesh, will hands down be the best centre partnership in Ireland.
@Cortiss: Are they not similar type of players though?
@Cortiss: Farrell will have to improve a lot before they’re hands down the best centre partnership. He was shown up badly against Racing. He’s behind Ringrose and Marshall has been better than him this season. Time will tell though
@Cian Nolan: It worked for South Africa all right
@Umpaloompa: Marshall not fit to lick Farrell’s boots in recent times
@Cortiss: Ah credit where’s it due, he’s been brilliant for Ulster this season
@Cortiss: don’t get me wrong, it’s a partnership with bags of potential. I wouldn’t be sure there’s enough guile to win a big SF. Carbery is vital to that midfield fufilling it’s potential.
@Umpaloompa: I always liked the idea of moving Farrell to 12, think it would suit him perfectly. Obviously not going to happen now, but de allende is a genuine world class 12 so hopefully they can work together.
@Umpaloompa: he’s been decent but never stood out for me
@Cortiss: Mist powerful yes, best no.
@Cian Nolan: we need the Joey of old like vs Gloucester away
@Hirrison Mirk: most not mist
@Cortiss: Marshal is a class player
@Cortiss: there’s two lads from leinster who’d disagree
@Umpaloompa: behind Ringrose perhaps but not behind Marshall. Farrell has great hands off either side.
@Cian Nolan: ben healy > carbery
@Conor Leahy: Farrell I think has a higher ceiling but Marshal has been better this season, he’s lighting it up for Ulster
It’s been a long time but great to see a marquee international signing back in Irish rugby!
@Rochelle: Irish rugby is in a stronger place when marquee signings arent required.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: so you wouldn’t be in favour of Noel Reid coming back?
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: It’s always been required for genuine world class players, we’d never have a player whose been to a world cup semi final otherwise.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: Leinster fans suffer serious memory loss when it comes to recalling the number of successful non Irish players they have recruited over the years. Their best ever players in fact have all been imports, at least Munster can claim home grown legends down through the years
@A Cos: Wow, such tripe in one sentence. And you wonder why Munster fans get a hard time in here.
@Almight Joe: delusion of the highest order from our neighbours down south
@Almight Joe: Enlighten us all please Joe, apart from BOD, who else born and bred in the green eyed province set the world alight?
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: do explain please? Was Ica not recently voted as Leinsters greatest player of the last 10 years? What part of the green eyed province was he born in again?
@A Cos:
I shouldn’t be because you are obviously trolling… But anyway..
Apart from BOD, maybe twice nominated and once winner of world player of the year Sexton… Heaslip twice nominated world player of the year? Darcy as well nominated. Would that not count as setting the world alight…
@A Cos: There best ever players were not imports. Stop fishing for likes.
How to impress your new employer & the supporters. Turn up early and be ready six weeks ahead of schedule. Ready to rock.
Gallagher has the potential to become an Ireland 15 in the years to come. Saw in the flesh over at sarries. Top player
@Hugh: not sure about Ireland but I can see him definitely nailing down Munster’s 15. A savage pair of hands and a deadly step off the right
@Cortiss: Is he left or right footed? I heard he was a lefty but im not sure. It would be a big advantage if he is left footed because its a very right footed backline at the moment. A bit of balance would be invaluable.
@Gareth Ward: left footed by trade but wouldn’t be shy of a clearance on his right now and again
@Cortiss: Perfect!
Let them play when we resume. Not much point winning if you don’t beat the best the opposition have.
Good news NZ will be playing Rugby soon ,if they can keep virus free ,fingers crossed we will see Rugby played here ,,,,I dont know when and I sadly reckon we will be last on the list
Given the times we live in it would be really nice to get involved in some proper rugby discussions if it weren’t for the fact that every article seems to end up in interprovincial nonsense.