Nov 21,2024
Munster have made two additions to their front row stocks, with props Conor Bartley and Dian Bleuler both linking up with the province on short-term deals.
The province, for whom Ian Costello is in temporary charge following the departure of Graham Rowntree last month, had been on the lookout for additional front rows in recent weeks following a spate of injuries.
Jeremy Loughman, Dave Kilcoyne, Josh Wycherley, Oli Jager, Roman Salanoa and Mark Donnelly have all been sidelined in the last month, which left the province with just four fit props across their senior team and academy.
Limerick native Bartley arrives on a short-term deal, having been a key player for Young Munster in the Energia All Ireland League over the last decade.
The 29-year-old, who can play both sides of the scrum, was part of the Cookies' team that won three Munster Senior Cups in a row from 2021 to 2023, while he also featured for the Ireland Clubs side who took on Portugal A in March 2024.
The province have also brought in South African loosehead Bleuler from the URC’s Sharks, with the 25-year-old also agreeing a short-term deal.
A former South Africa U20 international in 2019, Bleuler played 19 games for the Durban side in the URC and Champions Cup across the last two seasons, while he also featured regularly for the Sharks’ Currie Cup team.
Munster return to action in the URC on Saturday 30 November, when they host Lions at Thomond Park.
