Munster boosted by timely injury lift ahead of Italy trip

Munster face Benetton in the URC on Saturday with four rounds of the league campaign remaining

Winger Calvin Nash missed Munster's Challenge CUp defeat to Exeter. Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Munster will welcome back Diarmuid Barron, Brian Gleeson and Calvin Nash for Saturday’s crucial URC trip to Benetton while there has been further encouragement by the return to training of forward trio Jean Kleyn, Conor Bartley and Oli Jager.

With only four rounds of the regular league campaign remaining before the URC knockout rounds, Munster are badly in need of a positive outcome from their visit to their play-off rivals in north-eastern Italy. Just eight points separate Connacht in ninth, one place outside the qualification places and Ulster in third, with Munster in seventh, two points ahead of the westerners in a congested play-off race for the top eight.

Following back-to-back losses in South Africa at the Sharks and Bulls, Clayton McMillan has also seen his side knocked out of the Challenge Cup at the hands of Exeter for a third defeat in a row and the return of five forwards and Ireland wing Nash to training is a welcome addition ahead of Munster’s end of season push.

The head coach will name his team to travel to Treviso on Thursday. Hooker Barron, back-rower Glesson and Nash have all been cleared to play after completing return to play protocols having missed the 31-21 Round of 16 European loss at Sandy Park last time out. Props Jager and Bartley have recovered from foot and neck injuries respectively while South Africa international Kleyn sustained an ankle issue in the narrow loss to the Bulls.

Munster forwards coach Alex Codling said the province has missed prop Oli Jager. Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Bartley, signed from Young Munster, has not played since coming off the bench at Ulster on January 2, while Jager missed the home win over Zebra Parma, the South Africa trip and Exeter game having been forced off at Glasgow in Round 11 on January 30.

Forwards coach Alex Codling spoke of the importance of welcoming back Jager, the former Crusaders tighthead and one-cap Ireland international.

“Certainly someone like Oli Jager we've missed. The guys have done a great job at the front row this year. Having Oli back in training with us is a huge bonus.

“And the likes of Jean Kleyn as well. Huge amount of experience, a Munster man, been here for many years. Loves the club and obviously they want to put their best foot forward. So having those back in the mix is really important for us.

“I think firstly for me, I always judge a player by their character. I think Oli's a very diligent and a very humble man. Someone you can warm to very quickly.

“And I think when you have that in the group I think it's really important, particularly when you go through tough times. Secondly, technically very proficient. Around the set-piece, his line-out lifting is world class.

“His scrumming is very good, hence he's been in and around the Ireland set up a few times. So that consistency and level of performance and obviously having been in the Crusaders he understands at the top end, what it looks like and winning trophies.

“So having him around, he's incredibly mobile. I think the way the game is now in terms of mobility, power and speed he has all those attributes. Obviously just sometimes in life you're unlucky with injuries and he has been. But it's great to see him back on the field and he adds a huge amount to the group. Whenever he plays he always does.”