Munster can call on Marnus van der Merwe as South African hooker recovers from calf injury

Munster’s new signing Marnus van der Merwe as has recovered from the calf injury he sustained with the Scarlets last season. The 29-year-old South African hooker has returned to full training and took part in the internal hit-out at Crescent College Comprehensive last week.

Van der Merwe, who spent six seasons with the Cheetahs before his two years with the Scarlets, is thus set to be involved in Friday’s preseason clash against Leicester Tigers at Virgin Media Park (7.15pm).