URC
Young reacts to back three injuries
Dai Young admits his first thoughts were with Liam Williams after the full back suffered a collarbone injury during Cardiff’s BKT United Rugby Championship win over Munster on Saturday.
The British and Irish Lions, who had enjoyed a sparkling opening 20 minutes to his Blue and Blacks career before departing, is expected to be sidelined for 12 to 16 weeks with the injury.
Young revealed that his options in the number 15 jersey took a double blow, with youngster Jacob Beetham also facing a lenthy lay-off after suffering an ACL injury in Cardiff RFC’s win over Merthyr.
However, while the Director of Rugby admits it’s disappointing to lose a player of Williams’ pedigree, he is happy to have other options to fill the vacant full back spot: “I’m more disappointed than anything for Liam because he was really eager to have a good season here.
“He’s done everything that’s been asked of him since coming to Cardiff and he was looking really sharp in the game.
“I’m really gutted for him and it’s a big blow for both us and Wales. But more importantly it’s really gutting for Liam.
“You never quite know how they’ll recover but we don’t see it as being much before 12 weeks. If everything goes smoothly then hopefully he’ll hit that 12-week mark.
“But as with any injury, you’re not going to rush a player back just to get him a week earlier and so on. It could be anything between 12 and 16 weeks, but hopefully closer to the 12.
“There’s not much more you can say. He’s been in to have his operation on Monday and he’ll have a couple of days for everything to settle down before coming back in.
“He’s offered to help where he can off the field, like with the analysis, and we’ll certainly have him involved as much as we can.
“Sometimes this sport can be ugly. He’s worked really hard and looked really sharp but it’s one of those injuries that you can’t do anything about.
“There’s nothing you can say or do that will make it any better. The medical staff did a great job in looking after him but there wasn’t much I could say or do apart from a bit of a tap on the back and giving him my best wishes.
“We’ve had another bit of bad news too. The process here is that the youngsters coming through the ranks will play for the RFC, which is predominantly the Rags, and will then move up to play for us.
“Jacob Beetham, who we believe is a strong contender for playing 15 moving forward, played for the Rags and has unfortunately done his ACL on the weekend, so he’s out of contention there.
“We’ve obviously got Matthew Morgan who is a well-established 15 for us, and Josh Adams is one that Wayne Pivac would like us to play at 15 on occasions as well.
“That’s something that may happen in the World Cup so it’s about seeing if he can get some experience there.
“So we do have options there, but they’re big shoes to fill.”
Another casualty from Saturday’s opening day win was Owen Lane, who pulled out of the encounter at the eleventh hour after rolling his ankle in the warm-up.
While Young admits the back three division is currently being tested following a number of set-backs, he hopes there are short-term comebacks ear-marked for a trio of wings.
He added: “What we have got issues with as well is our wings. Jason Harries also played for Cardiff but got concussed and will go through the 12-day protocol.
“Owen Lane will be out for a couple of weeks and Theo is currently coming back from an injury.
“Wing is normally a position where we have a number of options but probably not week.”
Content & Images from – Cardiff Rugby
The Munster squad are preparing at the HPC ahead of Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup opener against Bayonne at Thomond Park (5.30pm).
Buy match tickets here.
Jean Kleyn will be unavailable until the New Year due to an eye injury suffered in the Leinster match. He attended for a specialist review last Tuesday and Wednesday and will have further follow-up before Christmas.
Jack Daly (ankle) and Liam Coombes (shoulder) both underwent surgery last week and will begin rehabilitation under the medical department.
There is good news for Patrick Campbell (ankle) as he has returned to team training.
Jack O’Donoghue (ankle) will also return to training this week.
Simon Zebo (knee) will continue to rehabilitate early this week.
The availability of Campbell, O’Donoghue and Zebo will be determined later in the week.
Peter O’Mahony (shoulder) is improving but will remain unavailable for the Bayonne clash.
Continuing to rehab: Jack Daly (ankle), Peter O’Mahony (shoulder), Liam Coombes (shoulder), RG Snyman (chest/shoulder), Joey Carbery (wrist), Roman Salanoa (knee), Mike Haley (hip), Cian Hurley (ankle/achilles), Niall Scannell (groin).
There were 11 Munster players in AIL action for their clubs at the weekend.
In Division 1A, Fionn Gibbons, Chris Moore and Keynan Knox helped Young Munster to a win over City of Armagh with Gibbons among the tries.
Ethan Coughlan and Daniel Okeke were in action for Shannon as they were beaten away to Terenure College.
In Division 1B, Jack Oliver, George Hadden and Colm Hogan helped Garryowen beat Blackrock College with Hogan scoring a try on his debut for the club. Oliver also kicked three conversions and two penalties.
Jack O’Sullivan and Ben O’Connor featured for UCC as they were narrowly beaten by Old Wesley.
In Evan O’Connell helped UL Bohemians to a draw against MU Barnhall.
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
Munster Rugby can confirm that Peter O’Mahony has made the decision to step down as squad captain after over 10 years leading the province.
O’Mahony first captained Munster in a competitive game on September 3, 2011 at the age of 21. It was just his 12th appearance for the province and he led the side for the opening five games of that season.
He took over the Munster captaincy on a permanent basis ahead of the 2013/14 season following the departure of Doug Howlett.
The 2022/23 season was O’Mahony’s 10th year as squad captain and ended with glory in Cape Town as he lifted the URC title with Keith Earls after a thrilling win over the Stormers.
Along with captaining Munster, he has also led Ireland and the British & Irish Lions.
Head Coach Graham Rowntree and the coaching team will select a new squad captain in due course.
Peter O’Mahony said: “Captaining Munster has been a dream come true for me.
“I grew up watching and idolising the Munster team and in particular the people who were leading the team.
“People like Mick Galwey, Jim Williams then on to the likes of ROG and Paul, who I had the privilege of playing with at the start of my career.
“I can remember the day I was asked to be captain like it was yesterday and discussing it with Paul to get his approval.
“From that day to this it’s been an utter privilege and has never been something I’ve taken for granted.
“However, having given a huge amount of thought to it, I think it is the right time to step back from the role to share my experiences and give the same guidance that I received when I took on the role.
“What an unbelievable honour it has been…and will always continue to be.”
Paying tribute to O’Mahony’s over 10 years as captain, Rowntree said: “You couldn’t pick a better leader than Pete and he has been a fantastic captain for this club.
“To lead Munster from such a young age and for so many years speaks volumes of his ability as a player on the pitch and a person off it.
“He commands huge respect and will still be a massive leader within the group. To have someone of Pete’s experience on hand to help us with the succession process is invaluable.
“We have a strong leadership group within the squad and will confirm a new squad captain in due course.”
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
The Munster squad are preparing at the HPC ahead of Saturday’s URC round 6 clash against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium (6.30pm, live on TG4).
Our next home game is against Glasgow Warriors at Musgrave Park on Friday, December 1 (7.35pm). Buy match tickets here.
Following Saturday’s win over Stormers, Peter O’Mahony (shoulder) and Jack O’Donoghue (ankle) will both go for scans on their respective injuries.
Diarmuid Barron has progressed through the return to play protocols and will be available for selection.
Continuing to rehab: Liam Coombes (shoulder), RG Snyman (chest/shoulder), Joey Carbery (wrist), Patrick Campbell (ankle), Roman Salanoa (knee), Mike Haley (hip), Cian Hurley (ankle/achilles), Niall Scannell (groin).
On the AIL front, there were nine Munster players in action for their clubs at the weekend.
In Division 1A, Keynan Knox and Fionn Gibbons helped Young Munster to a win over Terenure College at Tom Clifford Park.
Ethan Coughlan and Daniel Okeke were in action for Shannon as they were beaten by Lansdowne in Dublin.
In Division 1B, Jack Oliver and George Hadden lined out for Garryowen as they were beaten by St Mary’s College with Oliver kicking a conversion and a penalty.
Jack O’Sullivan was a try-scorer for UCC with Ben O’Connor also starting as they beat Queen’s University at the Mardyke.
In Division 1B, Evan O’Connell helped UL Bohemian to a 16-12 victory over Ballymena at Annacotty.
Tickets
URC Round 7: Friday, December 1
Munster v Glasgow Warriors, Musgrave Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
Champions Cup Round 1: Saturday, December 9
Munster Rugby v Bayonne, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 8: Tuesday, December 26
Munster v Leinster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
Champions Cup Round 4: Saturday, January 20
Munster Rugby v Northampton Saints, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here
Saturday, February 3
Munster Rugby v Crusaders, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 5pm; Buy final tickets here
URC Round 11: Friday, March 1
Munster v Zebre Parma, Musgrave Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 13: Saturday, March 30
Munster v Cardiff Rugby, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 16: Saturday, May 11
Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 18: Saturday, June 1
Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Bayonne At Thomond
Peter O’Mahony Steps Down After Over 10 Years As Munster Captain
