Injuries mount for Munster ahead of Leinster derby
Tadhg Beirne heads a long list of injury concerns for Munster ahead of Saturday's interprovincial derby against Leinster.
Calvin Nash Sport News
Confident Jack Crowley could challenge Joey Carbery for 10 shirt
Munster got their season back on track in Thomond Park on Saturday evening. A win against the usually physically dominant Bulls pack would have been accepted, but to do so with a bonus point and a solid performance will please fans and coaches alike. The Bulls weren't at their best in a wet and windy Thomond Park, however we can’t pick holes in Munster’s start to the season and then not praise them when they get things right. Not everything stuck, but a lot of things came together on the night. The return of Emerging Ireland players, such as Shane Daly and Calvin Nash helped. Joey Carbery putting in a man-of-the-match performance was one of the most important aspects for their immediate future, as were the performances of new stars such as the colossal Edwin Edogbo. Jack Crowley is one of the most interesting current case studies in Munster. The pressure was on Carbery last night because Crowley’s pre-season performances and his Emerging Ireland tour have put him in the limelight. Who knows where his ceiling is, he is really only getting going. Crowley would have been frustrated going into the first few games of the season. Munster stuck to their pecking order and gave Ben Healy the benefit of the doubt. However, If you watched the pre-season friendlies, whatever they stand for, and if you have an idea of how Munster are setting up their attacking structures, Crowley is the second in command at Munster and Carbery is within his sights. Crowley plays the game with a boyish excitement, yet his game management is taking huge strides forward. Managing the Emerging Ireland gameplan will have done wonders for his self-belief.
Gavin Coombes scores twice as Munster beat Bulls in URC
Munster marked their first outing of the season at Thomond Park with an encouraging 31-17 United Rugby Championship bonus-point win over the Bulls.
URC team news: Carbery back at 10 for Munster, six changes for Ulster
Joey Carbery will make his first out-half start of the season in tomorrow night's BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with the Bulls at Thomond Park.
Munster boosted by return of Emerging Ireland crop
Munster's Emerging Ireland contingent look set to be available for the province in this weekend's crucial BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with Bulls on Saturday.
Dogged display sees Ireland end South African tour unbeaten
Cheetahs 14-21 Emerging Ireland
Simon Easterby's Emerging Ireland XV named for Cheetahs encounter
Simon Easterby has named his Emerging Ireland line-up for their clash with the Cheetahs on Sunday in Bloemfontein (kick-off 2pm Irish time), with the visitors bidding to wrap to a perfect trip to South Africa after earlier victories against the Griquas and the Pumas.
Coombes in line for Munster return against Connacht
Gavin Coombes is in contention to make his first appearance of the season for Munster in Friday's BKT United Rugby Championship Interpro against Connacht.