Munster ease injury crisis with deals for Young Munster and South African props

Munster have made the signings amid an injury crisis in the front row.

Wed, 20 Nov, 2024 - 17:29

PJ Browne

Munster have confirmed the signings of two props to provide badly needed cover in the front row for the province.

Young Munster's Conor Bartley and Dian Bleuler from the Hollywoodbets Sharks have both joined on short-term deals.

29-year-old Bartley, who played schools rugby with Castletroy College, has been a regular in the Young Munster front row for the past decade winning three Munster Senior Challenge Cup titles. He can play at both the loosehead and tighthead prop positions. Bartley lined out for an Ireland Clubs side against Portugal A earlier this year.

"As part of Munster Rugby’s recruitment and succession planning, AIL players are continually tracked and observed by Munster staff throughout the domestic season with Bartley’s performances at club level resulting in this exciting opportunity," Munster said in a statement.

25-year-old Bleuler has played at U20 level for South Africa. He joined the Sharks in 2021 having previously played with Western Province and the Stormers. The loosehead played against Munster in a 2023 URC clash.

The signings have been made with Jeremy Loughman, Oli Jager, Josh Wycherley, Mark Donnelly, Dave Kilcoyne, and Roman Salanoa all having suffered recent injuries.

Munster's next game is at home to the Lions in the URC on November 30th. Their Champions Cup campaigns gets underway against Stade Francais a week later.