Peter O’Mahony: Players stand by Grobler

Munster captain Peter O’Mahony, an injury doubt for Sunday’s Champions Cup clash with Castres, says he and his squad will stand by Gerbrandt Grobler, as the debate continues over the decision to sign a player who served a two-year doping ban.

Grobler, 25, signed for Munster from Racing 92 in July on a one-year contract, but has yet to play a senior competitive game, having injured an ankle against Worcester Warriors in pre-season. The South African had tested positive for the anabolic steroid Drostanolone while playing for the Stormers in 2014 and was given a two-year suspension, forcing him to sit out the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

He signed for Racing on the completion of his ban and, after a season in the French Top14, joined Munster as Rassie Erasmus looked to sign a short-term replacement to cover the loss of Donnacha Ryan to the club from whence Grobler had come.