Munster have included Springbok World Cup winner Jean Kleyn in a 32-man squad for their Vodacom URC clashes against the DHL Stormers and Sharks in the Republic.
Kleyn, who played a key role in Munster’s URC title win over the Stormers in 2022-23, will be crucial to the Irish giants’ challenge again versus his former team at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
However, SA-born flyer Thaakir Abrahams, who joined Munster from Lyon this season, will miss the South African tour due to a thigh injury. Abrahams’ absence denies him a chance to face his former side, the Sharks, in Durban next week.
COLLISION COURSE: Stormers vs Munster
Five academy players – Ronan Foxe, Kieran Ryan, Evan O’Connell, Ruadhán Quinn, and Ben O’Connor – are included in the squad. Several players, including Billy Burns, Shane Daly, and Rory Scannell, have returned to full training and made the trip.
Diarmuid Barron, who failed a head injury assessment in the Leinster clash, has travelled but will not feature against the Stormers as he follows return-to-play protocols.
Meanwhile, Munster’s injury list includes Paddy Patterson and Brian Gleeson, who are expected back next month.
Full Munster squad – Forwards: Diarmuid Barron, Scott Buckley, Eoghan Clarke, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, Ronan Foxe, Jeremy Loughman, John Ryan, Kieran Ryan, Tom Ahern, Tadhg Beirne, Jean Kleyn, Evan O’Connell, Fineen Wycherley, Gavin Coombes, John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen, Jack O’Donoghue, Ruadhán Quinn. Backs: Craig Casey, Ethan Coughlan, Conor Murray, Billy Burns, Jack Crowley, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Seán O’Brien, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly, Mike Haley, Calvin Nash, Ben O’Connor.
Photo: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
