O'Mahony return a possibility ahead of Munster's meeting with All Blacks XV

Munster, now without the services of head coach Graham Rowntree, play host to an All Blacks XV in Saturday at Thomond Park.

WELCOME NEWS: Munster's Peter O'Mahony leaves the pitch for medical attention during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Ospreys. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Peter O’Mahony could return to the Munster back-row for this Saturday’s clash against the All Blacks XV after being given the green light to increase his training load after a hamstring injury.

Munster, who on Tuesday parted company with their 2023 URC title-winning coach Graham Rowntree, will have Head of Rugby Operations Ian Costello selecting the side to face the tourists in a sold-out tour match at Thomond Park.

With six frontline players leaving the squad for Ireland camp in preparation for November’s Autumn Nations Series, the potential return for former captain O’Mahony will be welcome news. 

Named in Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad for the Autumn Tests, the 35-year-old flanker is continuing his rehabilitation at Munster’s High Performance Centre in Limerick and an appearance this Saturday against the All Blacks XV would be a significant step in his recovery from an injury he sustained on his seasonal debut in the 23-0 URC victory over Ospreys on October 5.

Club captain Tadhg Beirne, meanwhile has led a six-strong Munster contingent into Ireland camp, with Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash and Alex Kendellen also travelling to Portugal ahead of the Autumn Nations Series opener against New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium on Friday, November 8.

Munster, in a squad update issued on Wednesday, said O’Mahony’s availability for selection will be determined later in the week while Costello is also expected to have fellow back-rower Brian Gleeson (shoulder) and uncapped back-three summer signing Diarmuid Kilgallen (leg) back in the fold after the pair returned to action with Garryowen in the Energia AIL last weekend.

With no URC fixture until November 30, against the Lions at Thomond Park, Munster look likely to have to wait for further returns from injury with Thaakir Abrahams expected to return to face his fellow South Africans after a thigh injury sustained in round two at Zebre Parma, the same game which fellow back-three team-mate Shane Daly injured his leg.

Also continuing to rehab injuries are props Jeremy Loughman (knee), Josh Wycherley (neck), Mark Donnelly (ankle), Dave Kilcoyne (ankle), Oli Jager (neck) and Roman Salanoa (knee), fellow forwards Cian Hurley (knee) and Edwin Edogbo (Achilles), and backs Alex Nankivell (hip), Liam Coombes (leg) and Patrick Campbell (shoulder).