MUNSTER HEAD COACH Clayton McMillan said that Tadhg Furlong’s fate is now “in the hands of the judiciary” ahead of the Leinster and Ireland prop’s disciplinary hearing on Thursday.
Furlong’s involvement in the upcoming Nations Championship fixtures is in the balance after Munster’s Gavin Coombes alleged that he had been grabbed in his groin area during Saturday’s United Rugby Championship interpro at the Aviva Stadium.
While the match officials failed to pick up anything in replays, citing commissioner Peter Ferguson subsequently opened a disciplinary case against Furlong.
Speaking on Tuesday, McMillan said Coombes had returned to training as normal this week and that the number eight’s focus was on the challenge facing Munster against the Sharks, who visit Thomond Park on Saturday in the final round of URC games before the international break.
“Nothing has changed for Gavin,” the Kiwi said. “He turned up on Monday and, obviously, what happened at the weekend is now in the hands of the Judicial Committee.
“Like the rest of the group, he’s just turned up and focused on preparing for the Sharks this weekend, allowing whatever happens in the background to take care of itself.”
Gavin Coombes, right, with coach Jimmy Duffy. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
McMillan had backed Coombes in the aftermath of Saturday’s game, saying he trusted his players would not make an allegation of that nature lightly.
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Asked about the decision to cite Furlong, McMillan said the process was now outside Munster’s control.
“I think it was obvious after the game, when the citing commissioner was there, that they saw a case to answer, and that’s been proven to be the case.
“Again, we leave it in the hands of the judiciary. There’s nothing more for us to add in that regard.”
- Availability -
McMillan is hoping to have a number of players available again after a demanding opening block of fixtures.
Shane Daly will miss out due to concussion he suffered at the Aviva Stadium, while Seán O’Brien picked up a groin injury before half-time.
There is more positive news among the forwards, with Jeremy Loughman, Lee Barron, Diarmuid Barron, Edwin Edogbo and Jack Aungier among those Munster hope could return. Will Harrison is also an option as McMillan assesses his squad.
Rob Russell has joined Munster as short-term cover. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
However, the head coach admitted there is a decision to be made over whether to bring players back for Saturday’s game or give them additional time to recover during the international break.
“It’s really just a case of weighing up whether, in the last game of this block, it’s worthwhile chucking them out or giving them a couple of extra weeks, given that there’s no rugby after that,” he said.
“Our hand might be forced in a couple of those decisions, given that there were a couple of dings over the weekend, but we haven’t selected a side yet.”
- Cover -
Munster will also be without Tadhg Beirne and Craig Casey, who are in Ireland camp, adding to the pressure on McMillan’s resources in certain positions.
The break could nevertheless come at a useful time, with the province hopeful of getting several injured players back into contention for the resumption of club games.
Rob Russell has been brought in as short-term cover in the outside backs. The former Ireland U20 international has previously played for Leinster and Gloucester, but will not feature against the Sharks.
Former Ireland Sevens player Hubert Gilvarry, who was involved with Munster throughout pre-season, is also providing cover.
“Given the run of injuries that we had, particularly in our outside backs probably three or four weeks ago, we brought Rob in and Hubert Gilvarry, who was with us through the whole of pre-season anyway, as just additional cover,” McMillan confirmed.
“They’ve both acquitted themselves really well. They’re good men, really grateful for the opportunity to come in.
“Some of the positions where we’ve picked up more injuries just happen to be in the same position, so it’s made things pretty tight. But the positive news is that the break will represent an opportunity for a number of them to come back.”
McMillan leaves Furlong case 'in the hands of the judiciary' as Munster turn attention towards Sharks
MUNSTER HEAD COACH Clayton McMillan said that Tadhg Furlong’s fate is now “in the hands of the judiciary” ahead of the Leinster and Ireland prop’s disciplinary hearing on Thursday.
Furlong’s involvement in the upcoming Nations Championship fixtures is in the balance after Munster’s Gavin Coombes alleged that he had been grabbed in his groin area during Saturday’s United Rugby Championship interpro at the Aviva Stadium.
While the match officials failed to pick up anything in replays, citing commissioner Peter Ferguson subsequently opened a disciplinary case against Furlong.
Speaking on Tuesday, McMillan said Coombes had returned to training as normal this week and that the number eight’s focus was on the challenge facing Munster against the Sharks, who visit Thomond Park on Saturday in the final round of URC games before the international break.
“Nothing has changed for Gavin,” the Kiwi said. “He turned up on Monday and, obviously, what happened at the weekend is now in the hands of the Judicial Committee.
“Like the rest of the group, he’s just turned up and focused on preparing for the Sharks this weekend, allowing whatever happens in the background to take care of itself.”
McMillan had backed Coombes in the aftermath of Saturday’s game, saying he trusted his players would not make an allegation of that nature lightly.
Asked about the decision to cite Furlong, McMillan said the process was now outside Munster’s control.
“Again, we leave it in the hands of the judiciary. There’s nothing more for us to add in that regard.”
- Availability -
McMillan is hoping to have a number of players available again after a demanding opening block of fixtures.
Shane Daly will miss out due to concussion he suffered at the Aviva Stadium, while Seán O’Brien picked up a groin injury before half-time.
There is more positive news among the forwards, with Jeremy Loughman, Lee Barron, Diarmuid Barron, Edwin Edogbo and Jack Aungier among those Munster hope could return. Will Harrison is also an option as McMillan assesses his squad.
However, the head coach admitted there is a decision to be made over whether to bring players back for Saturday’s game or give them additional time to recover during the international break.
“It’s really just a case of weighing up whether, in the last game of this block, it’s worthwhile chucking them out or giving them a couple of extra weeks, given that there’s no rugby after that,” he said.
“Our hand might be forced in a couple of those decisions, given that there were a couple of dings over the weekend, but we haven’t selected a side yet.”
- Cover -
Munster will also be without Tadhg Beirne and Craig Casey, who are in Ireland camp, adding to the pressure on McMillan’s resources in certain positions.
The break could nevertheless come at a useful time, with the province hopeful of getting several injured players back into contention for the resumption of club games.
Rob Russell has been brought in as short-term cover in the outside backs. The former Ireland U20 international has previously played for Leinster and Gloucester, but will not feature against the Sharks.
Former Ireland Sevens player Hubert Gilvarry, who was involved with Munster throughout pre-season, is also providing cover.
“Given the run of injuries that we had, particularly in our outside backs probably three or four weeks ago, we brought Rob in and Hubert Gilvarry, who was with us through the whole of pre-season anyway, as just additional cover,” McMillan confirmed.
“Some of the positions where we’ve picked up more injuries just happen to be in the same position, so it’s made things pretty tight. But the positive news is that the break will represent an opportunity for a number of them to come back.”
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citing Clayton McMillan Gavin Coombes Munster October Rugby Union Tadhg Furlong United Rugby Championship