Munster coy on Dries Swanepoel speculation

Munster Rugby were last night remaining tight-lipped over reports in South Africa that Bulls centre Dries Swanepoel is set to sign a short-term deal with the province.

A move for Swanepoel, a former Junior Springbok who plays primarily at inside centre, would make perfect sense given Munster’s midfield issues with Jaco Taute and Chris Farrell sidelined long-term and a backline similarly ravaged by injuries.

Fly-half Tyler Bleyendaal and Grand Slam-winning Ireland wing Keith Earls are also out of this Saturday’s Champions Cup quarter-final against Toulon at Thomond Park while back-three stars Simon Zebo and Andrew Conway are also rated only 50/50 chances of passing fit to face the French side.