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25 Oct 2025
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25 Oct 2025
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Alex Nankivell in action for Maori All-Blacks against Ireland in the summer of 2022
THE Munster Rugby squad is preparing at the High Performance Centre ahead of the province's United Rugby Championship opener against the Sharks at Thomond Park on Saturday at 5.15pm.
In player news, new signing Alex Nankivell arrived in Munster over the weekend after the Tasman Mako completed their NPC campaign earlier this month.
Nankivell has joined the squad and will take part in limited training today, Monday.
The versatile Nankivell, who can play in either centre position and on the wing, joins Munster from the Chiefs in New Zealand on a two-year deal.
He scored 13 tries in 70 Chiefs appearances since making his debut against Stormers in 2017 and helped set up two tries in the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific final against Crusaders as Chiefs fell to a narrow loss.
Nankivell made his provincial debut for the Tasman Mako in 2015 after a successful campaign with Christchurch Boys High School in 2014.
Nankivell’s impressive 2019 season caught the eye of the M?ori All Blacks selectors and he made his mark on the international stage against Fiji.
He was an integral part of the Chiefs team who made the Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa final in 2021 and lined out for the Maori All Blacks again that year.
In November 2022, he was selected for the All Blacks XV that played Ireland ‘A’ and the Barbarians and also lined out for the All Blacks XV on their tour to Japan in July 2023.
Meanwhile, on the injury front, winger Andrew Conway (hand) has returned to full training with the Munster Rugby squad.
Simon Zebo is unavailable this weekend, however, due to a foot injury.
Academy prop Mark Donnelly is rehabilitating a low-grade knee injury sustained against the Barbarians and will be unavailable for the coming weeks.
There were five Munster Rugby Academy players in AIL action for their clubs over the weekend.
In Division 1A, Academy back-row forward Daniel Okeke helped Shannon to a 35-7 victory over Young Munster.
In Division 1B, Academy Ben O’Connor started on the wing for UC as they won 36-20 away to Buccaneers.
Academy scrum-half Jack Oliver kicked two penalties and two conversions for Garryowen as they beat Old Belvedere 20-12 with Academy prop George Hadden also starting at Dooradoyle.
In Division 2A, Evan O’Connell helped UL Bohemian to a 27-10 victory over Banbridge.
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