CJ Stander set for Munster debut

MUNSTER return to RaboDirect PRO12 action against the Scarlets at Musgrave Park this Sunday, with recently arrived South African flanker, CJ Stander in line to make his debut for the province.

Stander had been with the Munster squad since he ended his commitment to the Blue Bulls following their Currie Cup semi-final defeat to the Sharks in Durban at the end of last month. The 22-year-old has joined Munster on a two-year contract. He has proved himself to be a versatile back-row operator and was previously South African Schools captain and Under 20 wing forward. The dynamic ball carrier played 13 times and scored four tries for the Bulls in his first season playing Super 15 rugby.

Stander’s arrival is a timely boost for Munster head coach, Rob Penney who has a number of injury concerns over back-row players. Munster are hopeful, however, that the ankle injury sustained by Tommy O’Donnell in Thursday’s ‘A’ Interprovincial win over Leinster is not too serious.

It will be later in the week before a decision on O’Donnell’s participation in the Scarlets game is made. There is also the possibility that back rowers James Coughlan and Niall Ronan could make a return to action in the next week or two. That is good news for coach Penney, given that Sean Dougall (knee) and Barry O’Mahony (groin) will be absent for the immediate future.

Hooker Sean Henry, who picked up a thigh muscle injury in the ‘A’ inter-pro with Leinster, was forced to leave the fray early and is another player whose availability will be decided later in the week. Munster must plan without their Irish internationals who face Argentina in the final autumn international this Saturday at the Aviva Stadium.

Munster currently occupy the final play-off spot in the PRO12 table. However, as they are ahead of the fifth-placed Ospreys by mere points difference and are just a single point clear of Leinster, Munster’s margin for error is slim.

Meanwhile, UL-Bohemian will face Cork Constitution in the final of the ODM Munster Senior Cup at the Mardyke this Friday at 7.30pm. UL-Bohs will be aiming to bridge a 50 year game when the five-time Cup winners lock horns with Con’ who are gunning for their 24th title.

Both sides come into the final on the back of disappointing results in the Ulster Bank All-Ireland League. UL-Bohs shipped a heavy 36-13 reverse at the hands of Lansdowne to slip to second-from-bottom in 1A table, while Con endured a 44-13 drubbing at the hands of Old Belvedere.

Friday night’s final will be the first played at the Mardyke in almost 50 years. UL-Bohs and Cork Con also met in the 1933 Munster Senior Cup final when the Cork side emerged victorious on an 11-0 scoreline after a second replay.