Snyman not expected back for start of URC season

Munster say they do not expect RG Snyman to be available for the start of the United Rugby Championship season, although the lock is continuing to reintegrate to training.

The South African suffered an ACL injury last October, in what was just his third game back from a 12-month layoff with an identical knee issue.

Munster begin the new URC season away to Cardiff on Friday 16 September, but in the province's latest squad update, they say Snyman will be held back for the opening weeks of the campaign.

"As RG Snyman's reintegration to team training continues after a lengthy lay-off, the lock is not available for the opening rounds of the season," the province said.

In better news for new head coach Graham Rowntree, Dave Kilcoyne has returned to full training after recovering from the neck surgery which saw him miss out on Ireland's summer tour of New Zealand.

The 33-year-old picked up the issue while on Six Nations duty, and hasn't featured for Munster since February.

New signing Antoine Frisch is also fit again after a shoulder knock, while Liam Coombes has returned from a toe issue.

And the province say John Hodnett is increasing his training load, as he gets closer to a return from the knee injury suffered in Munster's URC win against Ulster in April.