Munster coach Denis Leamy: 'This weekend you're going to see a lot of young players on the park'

Leamy said summer signing Will Harrison is 'looking good' as he returns to training following an injury

Munster defence coach Denis Leamy hinted there will be a continuation of the trust shown in younger players coming through the academy pathway. Pic: Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

Their returns from injury may come too soon for Munster’s trip to Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh this Saturday evening but Denis Leamy is excited to have Edwin Edogbo and new signing Will Harrison back on the training field.

Both Ireland lock Edogbo and Australian playmaker Harrison were on the pitch at Thomond Park on Tuesday having re-integrated to full squad training following respective shoulder and knee injuries.

Neither appears likely to be available for selection this Saturday, when Munster will open their Champions Cup pool campaign by welcoming French rivals Racing 92 to the home of Cork GAA but being back in training was a welcome boost for the province with Leinster away their following fixture.

Edogbo, 23, has not played since damaging his shoulder against Connacht in last May’s URC derby in Galway, while former Waratahs fly-half Harrison, 27, is awaiting his debut following a summer move from Japan’s Kinetsu Liners.

"Will was training today,” defence coach Leamy said of Harrison. "He's a guy that covers a good few positions. He's a left-footer and definitely comes with a big reputation. We're just getting him back to full strength around that knee.

"He's looking good, so hopefully we'll see him back in the next couple of games."

Munster picked up no fresh injury concerns from Saturday night’s 26-26 URC draw at Ulster.

Locks Tom Ahern (neck spasm) and Fineen Wycherley (shoulder) have not been ruled out for Saturday and will be assessed as the week progresses while loosehehad prop Michael Milne (ankle), hooker Diarmuid Barron (neck) and back-three player Shane Daly (hamstring tightness) were reported by the province as “progressing well”.

Munster still have tickets available for Saturday’s game on Leeside with sales currently tipping above 20,000. Head coach McMillan has used 37 players already this season across the opening three URC games, with Leamy hinting at a continuation of the trust shown in younger players coming through the academy pathway.

"I think there's been a lot of really good work done in the last three or four years,” Leamy said. “I think there seems to be a lot of them there now, ready to go.

"I think by and large it's up to management, up to players to create enough confidence in each other to allow them time to develop and expose them to that. I think that's important. This weekend you're going to see a lot of young players again on the park.

"It's a great opportunity for them to build competitive minutes in a big stadium, in a big atmosphere, in a really important game.

"That's ultimately how you get battle-hardened. That's how you learn. That's ultimately how you become a great player, I think."