MUNSTER PAIR TYLER Bleyendaal and Niall Scannell will undergo scans to determine the severity of injuries they sustained in yesterday’s Champions Cup draw with Castres in the south of France.
But the southern province will this week be boosted by the arrival of South African Chris Cloete, who joins following his Currie Cup commitments with Pumas. The 26-year-old signed a three-year deal with Munster back in July.
Bleyendaal was forced off just short of the hour mark at the Stade Pierre Antoine with a neck problem and hooker Scannell suffered a thumb injury during the 17-17 draw.
Munster say both require further assessment ahead of this weekend’s Pool 4 clash with Racing 92 at Thomond Park, a game which is likely to be watched by incoming head coach Johann van Graan.
The South African will be in Limerick this week making preparations ahead of his permanent move to Ireland with his young family following his appointment as Rassie Erasmus’ successor last week.
Van Graan will have Cloete at his disposal when he does eventually take over the reins at Thomond Park with the flanker linking up with his new team-mates at University Limerick this week.
Cloete has yet to be capped by the Springboks but has appeared for the South African ‘A’ side and will add further competition for places in Munster’s backrow.
Jean Kleyn continues his rehabilitation from a neck problem while Gerbrandt Grobler (ankle), Conor Oliver (shoulder), Dan Goggin (knee), Ronan O’Mahony (fibula), Dave O’Callaghan (knee) and Jaco Taute (knee) are all long-term absentees.
After opening their campaign in France yesterday, Munster welcome another Top 14 opponent in Racing 92 to Thomond Park on Saturday at 5.30pm.
Subscribe to The42 podcasts here:
