MUNSTER’S pre-season preparations continue with a visit from Gloucester to Virgin Media Park in Cork on Friday (7pm).
At the weekend, Graham Rowntree’s selection were beaten 24-21 by Bath at The Rec in front of an attendance of 9,603.
The visitors ran in three tries, courtesy of John Hodnett, Shay McCarthy, and Diarmuid Barron, all of which were converted by debutant and Bath native Billy Burns.
All of Munster’s scores arrived in the opening half after which the visitors were 21-12 ahead.
The fixture was noteworthy for first appearances for new signings Billy Burns, Tom Farrell, Diarmuid Kilgallen, and Bryan Fitzgerald, along with debuts for Academy pair Jack Oliver and Ronan Foxe, and club players Luca Cleary and Conor Ryan.
On the negative side, Ethan Coughlan and Ruadhán Quinn both sustained thigh knocks in the contest.
In addition, the club have confirmed that Dave Kilcoyne (ankle), Brian Gleeson (shoulder), and Cian Hurley (knee) are unavailable for the immediate future.
Munster, however, have been boosted by news that Tom Ahern (ankle), Jean Kleyn (knee/eye), and scrum-half Paddy Patterson (knee) are all in the final stages of their rehab and are due to return to training in the coming weeks.
Certain to feature Leeside is exciting new arrival Thaakir Abrahams.
An extremely fast and elusive winger/full-back with deceptive strength, Abrahams has joined on a two-year contract after one season with Lyon where he scored five tries in five Champions Cup appearances.
A former South Africa U20 international, Abrahams captained Paarl Boys High in his school days before helping the Junior Springboks to a third-placed finish at the 2019 U20 World Cup.
On the club scene, the 25-year-old has been with Sharks and Lyon.
Munster’s competitive campaign begins with a visit from Connacht to Thomond Park on September 21.
