'It was one of the best weeks of my short Munster career'

After a successful schools career with PBC, Six Nations success followed for Munster's Jonathan Wren at U20 level. He looked set fair to progress to the pro ranks. Then sickening injury intervened

FLYER: Munster A's Jonathan Wren is tackled by Aaron Sexton of Ulster A. Picture: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

JONATHAN Wren recalls being called into Ian Costello’s office. It was appropriate the Academy manager was telling one of its hopefuls that he’d be making a Munster debut in the Champions Cup against Wasps.

These were unusual circumstances. It was December 2021. 34 Munster players and 14 members of staff, including head coach Johann van Graan, were stuck in South Africa on a Covid-19 hit trip. Eight academy players and two pathway players were called in the squad for the clash with Wasps.