Legendary Munster Rugby trio in line for likely final Thomond Park outing in red jersey

THIS Friday is more than likely to be a final Thomond Park outing for departing players Conor Murray, Peter O’Mahony and Stephen Archer if they are fit to feature in the crucial URC interprovincial derby with Ulster at Thomond Park, 7.35pm.

Following their Investec Champions Cup exit at the hands of finalists Bordeaux Begles, Munster have suffered defeats to the Bulls and Cardiff in the URC to sit in ninth spot in the table and outside of the play-off places.

There are now just two rounds of regular season fixtures to go in the URC, Friday's interprovincial derby meeting with Ulster in Limerick followed by a date with Benetton at Virgin Media Park in Cork seven days later. 

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Having missed the defeat to Caridiff through injury, Murray, O'Mahony, Archer, Tom Ahern, Liam Coombes, John Hodnett, Oli Jager and Josh Wycherley all return to training this week and may feature at the weekend.

The prospect of missing out on Champions Cup rugby next season, and the incentive to send the legendary trio of Murray, O'Mahony and Archer off from Limerick on a high all play into the build-up for Friday, according to Munster attack coach Prendergast.

O'Mahony and Archer are retiring from rugby at the end of the season while Conor Murray confirmed earlier this year that he will depart the province at the end of the season for a new playing opportunity after 15 years.

"I mean there's a bit of everything with it really," Mike Prendergast said.

"We all know how important it is, both in terms of the process, in terms of building towards the game on Friday night, in terms of certain aspects of the game that, you can't focus on every part of it every week. That's just a reality.

"There are certain areas we feel need to be a bit better and we feel if we get those right we will be able to put our best foot forward.

"We're starting to recover a few players and get them back in.

"You could see it and you could feel it even today out in training. There was a good clip to training, a good competitive edge.

"Everyone wants to be playing in these games. It's going to be a big occasion as well.

"We can't forget that it's the last game for a few certain players that have been around for a long time and have given huge service to this club.

"So the lads want to put their best foot forward for those players as well.

"But equally as well for the match, for the club and how important it is."