Graham Rowntree: RG Snyman close to Munster return

“He trained today. His return is going to be a bit sooner potentially than the Zebre game (on March 1),” Rowntree said.

Tue, 30 Jan, 2024 - 17:24

Simon Lewis

Graham Rowntree is hopeful RG Snyman could be back in action for Munster in the coming weeks as the South African World Cup winner nears a comeback from shoulder and neck surgery.

Snyman, who is set to leave Munster at the end of the season and join Leinster, has not played since the Springboks’ World Cup final victory over New Zealand in Paris on October 31.

His current fitness issues follow two serious knee injuries that have restricted the 6ft 9ins lock to just 10 appearances for the province since his 2020 move from Japan’s Honda Heat.

Yet on Tuesday, when Munster issued another deflating injury update in which John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson and Simon Zebo were ruled out of this Saturday’s marquee friendly with Super Rugby champions Crusaders at a sold-out Pairc Ui Chaoimh, the head coach had some positive news to share on Snyman who could return against Harlequins in another friendly at The Twickenham Stoop on February 23.

“He trained today. His return is going to be a bit sooner potentially than the Zebre game (on March 1),” Rowntree said.

“I think we’ll see him in February, exactly when I’m not sure. He’s certainly encouraging me, he’s doing a lot more in training.”

Rowntree also praised Snyman’s attitude since returning from the World Cup and being told his contract would not be renewed at the end of the season, with the head coach preferring to retain his other World Cup-winning lock Jean Kleyn, whose return to South African status having represented Ireland in 2019, meant Munster had to choose between the two under IRFU player pathway rules restricting the number of non-Irish qualified (NIQ) players at each of the four provinces.

“He’s been thoroughly professional and diligent around the group since his news broke and I expect nothing less from the guy, he’s been quality for us.

“What’s done is done, this is business. He’s made his decision (to join Leinster). I’m interested to see what he does for Munster for the rest of the season. I’m sure he’ll give it his all.”

The losses of Hodnett, Patterson and Zebo are more immediate concerns for Rowntree with seven senior players, including Snyman and Kleyn, already out injured and several more on Six Nations duty with Ireland.

Scrum-half Patterson has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury which will require surgery next week, while openside flanker Hodnett could be out for up to 10 weeks following surgery on a finger injury.

Full-back Zebo, meanwhile, could also be set for some time away after limping out of the Champions Cup home loss to Northampton Saints on January 20. He had an MRI scan on a knee injury last week, in unavailable this weekend and is scheduled to see a specialist next week to review his treatment options.

With Patterson out and Conor Murray and Craig Casey on Ireland duty for the next six weeks, Munster on Tuesday moved swiftly to shore up their resources at number nine, extending Neil Cronin’s contract to the end of March and also signing UCC’s former Ireland U20 international Andrew O’Mahony on a two-month contract.

Hodnett and Zebo to miss Munster's historic Crusaders meeting

As for selection to face Rob Penney’s Crusaders, Munster are waiting to determine the availability of lock/flanker Tom Ahern following his concussion against Saints, an injury that cost him a place at Ireland’s training camp in Portugal this week. Ahern is following the return to play protocols.

“I’m not going to rush Tom,” Rowntree said. “He’s following concussion protocols. We’ll assess his availability but I’m not going to mess around. As big a game as this is for the club, I’m not going to mess around. He’s been that important for us.”

There was some good news for Rowntree with full-back Mike Haley returning to full training this week following the hip injury he sustained in pre-season while back-five forward Cian Hurley is increasing his training load following a lengthy lay-off with ankle and Achilles tendon trouble.

The 23-year-old is earmarked to return to play in the coming weeks, Munster said.