RG Snyman set to return early from injury

RG Snyman is in line for his first appearance of the season for Munster next week, after returning to full training with the province.

Snyman, who hasn't played since undergoing shoulder/chest surgery following the Rugby World Cup, had initially been expected to be sidelined until March, but looks set to make a timely return for the BKT United Rugby Championship trip to Parc Y Scarlets on Friday 16 February.

It would be the second row's first appearance for Munster since confirmation that he would be departing for rivals Leinster in the summer.

The 29-year-old's time at Munster has been plagued by injury, with two ACL injuries and his latest surgery, seeing him play just 10 games for the province in three-and-a-half seasons. Coincidentally, next week's game would see him return to the scene of the second of those major knee injuries, when he suffered a breakdown away to the Scarlets in October 2021, while he also faced the Welsh side in his comeback game last March.

In further good news, Tom Ahern (above) is also back in full training after overcoming the return to play protocols for concussion.

The versatile forward missed last week's Ireland training camp in Portugal, as well as Munster's exhibition game with the Crusaders in Cork after suffering a head injury in the province's Champions Cup defeat to Northampton Saints on 20 December.

Another versatile back-five forward, Cian Hurley, is stepping up his training load after a long term Achilles injury.

Graham Rowntree's side have no fresh injuries to report following their 21-19 win against the Super Rugby champions, but there's bad news for wing/full-back Patrick Campbell whose injury-laden season is continuing. The Young Munster man has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury.