THE GOOD NEWS in Munster is that they moved into their new training base at UL for the first time this morning and CJ Stander will be available to them next weekend, but there is still doubts about Simon Zebo’s availability following injury.
Munster are waiting on the results of a scan on Zebo’s ribs to discover the severity of the injury that forced the Ireland international out of their Pro12 opener against Scarlets last weekend.
Zebo only lasted 18 minutes after he appeared to take a blow from his teammate Rory Scannell as the duo chased a kick through behind their own try-line and then shipped another hit in contact afterwards.
Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus admitted he was not hopeful that the utility back would be available to line out for the side in their first home game of the season against Cardiff Blues next Friday, but that it would be Monday night before they got a true reflection of the injury.
“It’s his ribs. We’ll have a better indication after the scans come back, but in my experience as a player and a coach, I would be surprised if he is ready for the weekend,” said Erasmus.
Kevin O’Byrne was the only other injury concern to emerge from the win against Scarlets and he is having a scan on an elbow injury, but there was some positive news for tighthead Stephen Archer, who is only likely to miss one more game due to the neck injury he picked up ahead of the new season.
After Donnacha Ryan and Dave Kilcoyne returned to the match-day squad on Saturday from their player management programme period after Ireland’s summer tour, Stander is the latest international to make his comeback this weekend.
However, there is still no sign of Conor Murray or Keith Earls for Erasmus, while Peter O’Mahony will not make his return this weekend either following his year-long layoff due to a knee injury picked up at last year’s World Cup.
Alex Wootton (knee) and David Johnston (ankle) were both able to take a full part in training after missing the game at the weekend, but there is no return in sight for new signing Sammy Arnold (knee), Mark Chisholm (concussion), Sean McCarthy (knee), Francis Saili (shoulder) and Mike Sherry (back), who are all long-term absentees.
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Pity to see him go. He was one of the best defenders to play the game
Ever !
That hook in the replay was pivotal.
And from a Tipp point of view – should a player of Callanan’s calibre and experience have allowed himself to be hooked? Remember how a young and inexperienced Shane O’Donnell batted the ball to the net in a similar situation in last years All Ireland.
Anyway JJ was quite simply a class defender – no arguments there!!
The sport has lost a lot of legends this summer. FairPlay JJ, an exceptional career from an exceptional player.
He’ll be the biggest loss of all the retirees. With the greatest of respect he was still first choice (and playing well) this summer while the other four were squad members and getting a few minutes off the bench here and there. Class player in fairness, he’ll leave a huge void on that defence. Phenomenal in the air and a fantastic reader of the game. Best wishes to him.
Jesus I was certain he would stay on and try get 10
One of the finest hurlers to ever grace the field
And toughest !
With all the 9 time winners retiring, Shefflin’s record may stand the test of time!
Some player. The most consistent hurler I’ve ever seen
Ah no. Please one more year. If he had been around in 1912 he would have blocked the hole in the titanic
One of the most complete defenders in the game, awesome talent, first on every team sheet. Thanks JJ for the fantastic memories. Gutted to see you go but every player must walk out to the sunset. Your Hook this year in the All Ireland is a fantastic final memory of a glittering career. You owe hurling nothing everything left on the pitch. Slan
Ah shite!
What a player, pity he didn’t go for his 10th all Ireland. Been a pleasure to watch over the years for both club and county.
Just a legend. Simple as that.
Have to say one of de greatest backs ever to Grace a hurling pitch, and that comes from a wexford man happy retirement jj
Best defender I ever saw and that’s from a Corkonian. Wing back was his best position. 2004 final, he was on one wing and Sean Og on the other. Both had blinders. Glad I was there to see it. No other player I ever saw can go from wing back to full back and be as good. I stayed quite on the other retirements but had to comment on this guy.
An awesome player Brian Cody called him the best defender he’s even seen !!! I think that says it all !!
Irreplaceable. Simple as that. As are tommy Walsh and Henry. Kilkenny will be strong next year but no one can fill these boots. And I’m a Tipp man.
Pity to see JJ retiring sad day!just hope jackie doesn’t follow suit now! Two rocks in the full back line for years!
Noel Hickey was replaced by JJ, Henery Shefflin filled the gap left by DJ… Don’t get too excited that KK will be a spent force… JJ was the best defender I ever seen play, plus a true gent
Great hurler great team, hopefully with alot of the old gaurd retiring they will be considerably weakened from a hopeful cork langer!!!
I say good. Great player but now that so many Kilkenny players are retiring maybe they will stop dominating every year and it will get more interesting.
Cian – sorry to tell you but, there are many more coming up this year – you may be (un)pleasantly surprised …
Haha. I know Dara. Unfortunately Kilkenny do have many more amazing players in their squad and coming through but I’d just love to see Limerick win one :)
Great hurler. Huge loss. Hard act to follow at fullback for Kilkenny.
Defending is an art form in itself. I doubt there has ever been a player who showcased it better. He was always on his mans shoulder, he had an intrinsic sense of where to hook or block, he knew how to shepard his man away from goal, he fouled inconspicuously, he fielded ball he had no right to, he was equally tough, brave and competitive. Not to mention his ability with the ball in hand. His hook on Callinan in the replay was a fitting final reminder to us all of his greatness.
There retiring before Cody gives them the cold shoulder!!!! As he would eventually !!
I suppose this means we can write them off now!
Haha, been written off before, but it’s a massive gap in defence to plug now.
Who was better, JJ or Tommy Walsh?
JJ.
JJ, only because he always keeps a cool head. Kilkenny wouldn’t have been so dominant without him in defence.