Leamy poised to return as Munster facing Tigers

DENIS LEAMY will make a long-awaited return from injury when Munster play Leicester Tigers in a pre-season friendly at Musgrave Park on Friday (7pm).

Leamy joins recent signings Sam Tuitupoa and Wian du Preez in a 26-man squad announced by coach Tony McGahan. The selection also includes Donncha Ryan, Felix Jones and Ian Dowling who have recovered from their respective long-term injuries.

McGahan is looking forward to another eventful season and expressed delight that the injury problems of last season are resolved. Equally, he believes a week of pre-season in La Manga, Spain, has been of huge benefit.

He said: “It allows us, in addition to much more, for Sam (Tuitupoa) and Wian (du Preez) to continue their integration into the squad and identify more of the young talent. La Manga has been excellent and we’ve managed to get in quality core rugby work along with valuable organisational matters.

“Leicester on Friday and Gloucester (Friday week) will provide us with ideal challenges ahead of the competitive start to the season,” he said.

Meanwhile Philip Morrow has been appointed as the new Head of Fitness with the IRFU. Morrow takes up the position with a wealth of experience in the field of elite sports, where he has worked with the IRFU and provincial teams for nine years. He has also provided his expertise to GAA representative teams and worked with the Man City Football Academy players.

MUNSTER (from): D Hurley, F Jones, I Dowling, S Zebo, D. Barnes, S Deasy, S Tuitupoa, C Hircock, P Warwick, D Williams, C. Murray, W du Preez, D Ryan, S Archer, D Hurley, M Sherry, D Fogarty, B Holland, D Foley, I Nagle, D Ryan, P Butler, T O’Donnell, P O’Mahony, J Coughlan, D Leamy.