Munster hopeful of Snyman and Haley returns 

Forwards coach Andi Kyriacou yesterday said Snyman's potential impact on Munster’s fortunes could be huge, both physically and metaphorically.

RG Snyman. Pic: Ben Brady, Inpho 

Munster are hopeful they can get the most out of RG Snyman’s remaining time with the province, starting with a potential comeback against Scarlets in west Wales on Friday night.

Graham Rowntree’s squad resumes its URC title defence in Llanelli and hope to have both South Africa lock Snyman and full-back Mike Haley back in their ranks for the first time this season as they bid to emulate last season’s late run to the grand final and a first trophy in 12 years.

The South African double World Cup winner is yet to play for Munster this season having required surgery on a shoulder and neck injury following last October 31’s final victory over New Zealand in Paris and management and medics alike are monitoring how he came through yesterday’s training, the most intense session of match week before they are prepared to give Snyman the green light to travel.

Since returning from the World Cup, the 6ft 9ins lock has since been told his contract will not be renewed at the end of this season with Munster boss Rowntree forced to choose between his two Springbok second rows under IRFU player pathway rules once South African-born former Ireland international Jean Kleyn declared for the nation of his birth last summer.

Snyman, 29, has already announced his decision to stay in Ireland and move to Leinster for next season with his current team keen to make the most of his remaining time after an injury-blighted four years at Munster in which he has made just 10 appearances.

Forwards coach Andi Kyriacou yesterday said his potential impact on Munster’s fortunes could be huge, both physically and metaphorically.

“Literally enormous, yeah, 6ft 9ins and 130-odd kilograms of him,” Kyriacou said.

“It is, it is, look, I wouldn’t say it’s a luxury but it’s really nice the timing of it, coming in for this period and we’re looking forward to having someone of that calibre back in that position and what he offers both on and off the field.

“He’ll complement and support younger lads while they’re trying to play and the way they’re training. He’s going to be a big player for us hopefully over the next few months before he wraps things up with us.” 

Kyriacou had earlier said of Snyman: “He's probably our most experienced player in term of knockout rugby,” Kyriacou said. “Two World Cups, got himself fit for the back-end of last season and our run-in, so he's just got huge leadership, and the way he speaks and conducts himself around the place is phenomenal.

“He has these great little chats with all players, young and old, and just pulls people with him. I'm expecting a lot from him over the next few months as he rounds things up here.” The forwards coach also gave a cautiously optimistic update on Snyman’s possible selection for the trip to Llanelli.

“We’re going to see how he comes through today but he’s trained really well over the last two weeks so we’re hopeful it’s all going to be ticked off over the next few hours.” 

Of Haley’s possible return and a seasonal debut at Parc Y Scarlets on Friday, Kyriacou added: “Similar to RG, he’s trained the last few weeks there so we’ve just got to wait to see how he pulls up after today’s session. Today is our bigger session, our more physically demanding session of the week so a lot will happen over the next few hours in terms of his availability but we’re very hopeful that he’ll be on the list.”