'They have the Cork confidence': Wycherley hails Edogbos joining Munster family tradition

“There's not too many people who can say that they've played with a brother, especially in such a unique club, their home club as well," said Munster's Fineen Wycherley

Edwin Edogbo speaks to his brother Seán after he made his Munster debut against the Dragons. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Last month, the Edogbos joined the Johnstons, Scannells and Wycherleys as recent additions to the list of brothers to have lined out for Munster.

Seán Edogbo was superb for Munster in the comeback victory over the Dragons in Cork. Earlier in the week, his brother Edwin was included in the Ireland squad for the Six Nations. He made his debut off the bench against Italy.

“It's a really special thing,” said Munster second row Fineen Wycherley, whose brother Josh also plays for the province.

“There's not too many people who can say that they've played with a brother, especially in such a unique club, their home club as well.

“They ‘ve been outstanding – Edwin over the last couple of years, and Seánie, this is his breakthrough season.

“I'm absolutely delighted for Edwin, obviously getting his international cap – well deserved. Seánie, his debut down in Cork showed how good he is, and how much of an athlete he is. They're both confident fellas. They have the Cork confidence. They both work really hard. They're physical specimens.

“Seánie, in my role as a lineout caller, he's a fella that you like to go back to. He's got great athletic ability. But then around the park with ball in hand, he's very abrasive. They're different athletes. Edwin is a bigger man. Seánie, great speed, fast in the air."

It was confirmed on Monday that Edwin Edogbo has been released back to Munster for the Six Nations break. After his debut against Italy, Edogbo suffered abhorrent abuse online. The 23-year-old was back at the Munster High Performance Centre on Friday, “in great form”, according to Munster forwards coach Alex Codling.

“He's obviously got his family around him, us within the squad, and obviously the Irish squad would have put an arm around him,” Wycherley added about how his teammate has dealt with the abuse. “To be fair, he's a very strong character. Since he's come back in, it hasn't looked to faze him. We're focusing on the positive here and that he played for his country, and that's a massive achievement.” 

Michael Milne, off the bench against France, and Jeremy Loughman – who has started all three of Ireland’s Six Nations games – are two more Munster players to make their international marks in recent weeks. Codling has been impressed with both props.

“We know the qualities they have," he said.

"You only really find out in some senses where you can go as a player when you go in those international environments. Jeremy's done a great job the last few weeks. 

"There were some clips on the TV last night around some of the tries for Ireland. He does a lot of unseen work. I think the ability just to win races, win corners at the breakdown and give space to other players.” 

For Wycherley, Loughman has been one of Ireland’s most consistent players in the Six Nations.

“Going into the Six Nations, Jez would have seen himself in the squad, but I don't know whether he would have seen himself starting all three Six Nations games.

“I'm absolutely delighted for him. He works hard. Over the pre-season, building up into the season, he was one of our most consistent players and you can see that that's just carried through.

“It's amazing what can happen when you get a run of games and he's been unlucky over the last couple of seasons, maybe the last two seasons with a few injuries.

“It's amazing what can happen when you get a couple of good weeks with your club and then you're fit and you're game ready and you're confident and then go into those games. He's really shown that he can be relied on in that Ireland squad."