MUNSTER’S NEW DEFENCE coach JP Ferreira has arrived in Ireland and his first match with the province will be the St Stephen’s Day inter-pro against Leinster at Thomond Park.
The 34-year-old South African begins his role this week after signing a three-year contract to join Johann van Graan’s coaching team.
Ferreira, who spent 10 years with the Golden Lions, will begin working with the squad at their University of Limerick base tomorrow ahead of Tuesday’s Pro14 derby as the province look to extend their winning run to seven matches in all competitions.
The Munster medical team will assess the fitness of Andrew Conway, Rhys Marshall and James Cronin when the squad report for training tomorrow, while Dave Kilcoyne and Alex Wootton picked up injuries in the win over Leicester Tigers.
Kilcoyne suffered a dead leg and Wootton an elbow problem during the Champions Cup clash at Welford Road and both will be assessed on Friday.
Several of the Munster squad were involved in the two-day Ireland camp at the start of the week and it remains to be seen who, if any, will be available for selection for the first of three inter-pros over the Christmas and New Year period.
If selected, Peter O’Mahony will make his 100th appearance for the province in front of a sold out Thomond Park.
There was no update provided on the fitness of long-term absentees Tyler Bleyendaal (neck), Ronan O’Mahony (fibula), Gerbrandt Grobler (ankle), Conor Oliver (shoulder), Dan Goggin (knee), Dave O’Callaghan (knee), Jaco Taute (knee) and Chris Farrell (knee).
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