mens
United-rugby-championship
Munster have received double Ireland reinforcement ahead of Saturday United Rugby Championship clash with the Bulls, with Craig Casey and Jeremy Loughman both available for selection at Thomond Park.
Clayton McMillan’s side are looking to respond after opening their campaign with a 26-20 defeat at Glasgow Warriors in Limerick, who led 17-7 at half-time before the visitors turned the contest around after the break.
Casey and Loughman will now be back in contention for Round 2, boosting Munster ahead of their home clash against last season’s URC finalists.
There is further encouragement on the injury front, with Tom Ahern, Jack Aungier, Shane Daly and Ruadhán Quinn set to return to training this week ahead of the visit of the Bulls.
Munster, however, will be without Mike Haley after the full-back picked up a knee injury against Glasgow. Diarmuid Barron, Jack O’Donoghue and Alex Nankivell are also unavailable as they continue through return-to-play protocols.
Province looked set to open the season with a win after JJ Hanrahan gave them an early lead and Ben O’Connor crossed for the first try. Michael Milne’s score then helped Munster establish a 10-point lead at the interval.
Glasgow fought their way back into the contest in the second half and Nathan McBeth reduced the deficit before George Horne put the visitors ahead.
Jamie Dobie then completed his 100th appearance in Glasgow by scoring his second try of the night to secure a bonus point victory for the Warriors.
The challenge doesn’t get any easier this weekend, with Bulls who arrived after starting their campaign with a 47-13 away win Zebras Parma.
The availability of Casey and Loughman therefore provides a timely boost for McMillan as Munster look for an immediate response, their first win of the season and a performance in front of their home support.
