Munster are hopeful that Peter O’Mahony will be fit to return for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup meeting with Saracens at Thomond Park (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player), as the province begin to get some of their injured players back on deck.
While 15 members of the senior squad are currently out injured, Ian Costello’s side have been able to welcome Conor Murray, Diarmuid Barron and Jack O’Donoghue back to full training after they missed the Christmas defeat to Leinster, while Jack Crowley is also available again after he was rested on 27 December.
O’Mahony’s status for the visit of the three-time European champions is less clear, with the flanker being monitored for a calf injury he picked up in the Round 2 defeat to Castres last month.
But attack coach Mike Prendergast says they will give the 35-year-old every chance of playing in a game where experience will be crucial.
“Yeah, he’s in the mix at the moment,” Prendergast said of O’Mahony.
“We’ll know more come Thursday, but as of now he’s tracking along. We’ll make that call on Thursday to see if he’ll be able to tog out or not.
“A welcome return for a couple of players, good experienced players on top of that, and that will strengthen us up for the weekend. We obviously have a few bits and pieces to get through before Saturday, but all tracking in the right direction.
“We know the challenge that’s ahead of us, and we have a couple of players back as well which is always good to have. You need that experience in these types of games. They [Saracens] have plenty of it on their side, so it’s a hugely exciting week for us.”
Among those who have been the longest on the injury list are Edwin Edogbo (above) and Roman Salanoa, who are nearing their return to full training.
Second row Edogbo hasn’t played since suffering a serious achilles injury on St Stephen’s Day in 2023, while Salanoa hasn’t played for 19 months with a series of knee issues.
“They need another few weeks, in terms of getting back on the pitch and getting up to speed,” Prendergast added. “There’s been quite positive news over the last couple of weeks about both of them.
“We’re hoping to see them not in the too far distant future hopefully.”
The province continue to struggle for consistency, with wins against Lions, Stade Francais and Ulster offset by defeats to Castres and Leinster since the end of November.
With six points from their opening two games in the Champions Cup, Munster are reasonably placed to qualify for the knock-out stages, knowing one win in their next two games would do the job.
But with a trip to Premiership champions Northampton Saints on the horizon next week, Prendergast (below) believes the stakes are high as they welcome an old rival to Limerick on Saturday.
“It’s a huge game. You’re playing a team full of quality, they showed that last week against a good Bristol team. They’re third in the Premiership which is an incredibly competitive competition this year. You need to be on your game in that competition and they look like they are.
“It’s a big challenge, it’s one we’re thoroughly looking forward to. Having the week off after Leinster, you reflect a bit. The best place you can play is Thomond Park on a Saturday afternoon at half five, against a team like Saracens – Munster and Saracens go back a few years. If that can’t whet your appetite, I don’t know what can.
“We’re massively looking forward to it, but we know how big of a challenge it will be.”
Meanwhile, Munster have confirmed contract extensions for both Tom Ahern and Shay McCarthy.
Versatile forward Ahern has agreed a new two-year deal until the summer of 2027, while winger McCarthy will step up from the academy this summer to a development contract, before advancing to a senior deal in the summer of 2026.
