WHILE IRELAND’S SIX Nations campaign has been at the forefront of CJ Stander’s mind in his first full week with Joe Schmidt’s Ireland, Wednesday’s breaking news provided a dose of relief for the Munster captain.
Keith Earls and Conor Murray signed on for three more years on IRFU contracts, two of the province’s most vital players agreeing to stay in Limerick as Munster look to grow.
Speaking today after Ireland’s open training session at the Aviva Stadium, Stander expressed his delight about the contracting revelations.
“That’s great, great news,” said Stander. “They’re leaders on the team and they’re unbelievable players, and they bring magic to the team. It’s great to get that backing from them, you know? They want to stay for another three years and we’re building back down in the south, working hard.
It’s good to know that the group is staying the same for the next few years, it’s just great news.”
The 25-year-old hasn’t had a chance to discuss the news with the rest of his teammates at Munster, but says Earls and Murray’s re-contracting will come as a huge fillip for everyone involved with the province.
“You could see the smiles on them when they finalised,” said Stander of Earls and Murray. “I haven’t been back in UL or Cork yet, but I reckon the boys are happy. Even the coaches, it gives you a bit of a boost up here [in Ireland camp] and down there.
“They’re unbelievable players, top-class and important leaders in the team.”
As for his first week’s training with Schmidt ahead of the Six Nations, Stander was similarly pleased to have it under his belt. Now the target is a place in the matchday team or squad for the clash with Wales on Sunday 7 February.
It was tough,” said the back row. “I know what’s expected now and it’s good to get into the groove and see what the boys get up to, get the new calls in. The first week was tough and it was great to get into the tempo, it was bit higher than I’m used to.
“It was a great feeling [to get picked in the training squad] and it’s something I worked hard towards. It’s good to get that call and good to get the recognition. Now I need to put up my hand this week and show what I can do going into next week.”
