Dec 11,2024
Munster's front row stocks have been boosted by the return of Oli Jager and Dave Kilcoyne from injury.
The pair are back in full training this week, while there are no fresh injuries to report from Saturday’s 33-7 win against Stade Francais in the Investec Champions Cup, with Calvin Nash and Shane Daly both passing head injury assessments.
Kilcoyne has been out for almost a full year due to successive shoulder and ankle injuries. The 36-year-old loosehead initially injured his shoulder against Leinster on St Stephen’s Day last year, before picking up an ankle injury in pre-season which has delayed his start to this campaign.
Jager is also back in full training after missing the province’s last five matches with a neck injury.
It provides interim head coach Ian Costello with some timely depth following an injury crisis at prop.
The province were depleted at loosehead in particular earlier this season, which led to the short-term signing of Dian Bleuler from the Sharks, as well as Conor Bartley who has come in on a short-term contract from Young Munster.
Bleuler has impressed in two starts since his arrival, and the South African is likely to continue in the first team for Friday night’s Pool 3 game away to Castres.
Meanwhile, the province say Conor Murray will return to action in "the coming weeks" following an elbow injury, while Jean Kleyn remains out with his neck injury, although the South African lock is said to be making good progress with his rehab.
