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HomeSportMunster re-sign Wian Du Preez as Mafi misses start of next season

Munster re-sign Wian Du Preez as Mafi misses start of next season

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MUNSTER Rugby have confirmed this week that Wian Du Preez is to return to the province for another two seasons. The South African prop was on a short term contract with the reds last season and is expected to arrive in Ireland in the coming weeks.

It seems almost certain now that Munster rugby will dip once more into the transfer market this week as their squad for next season takes shape. The season may be over on the field but reviews of what went are in full swing. One decision made this week was that Lifeimi Mafi will miss the opening games of the 2010/2011 season as he recovers from a shoulder operation. The 28-year-old had an operation last Tuesday for an injury that has been troubling him throughout the season and now uses the closed season to have the problem sorted out.

With news last week that Julian Brugnaut, Jeremy Manning, Danny Riordan, Ciaran O Boyle and Jean De Villers are all leaving, Munster’s long injury list appears to be shortening at the right time. Denis Leamy (knee), Donnacha Ryan (shoulder), Darragh Hurley (eye), Felix Jones (neck) and Barry Murphy (leg) are all expected to be fully fit and available for the opening pre-season games against Leicester Tigers on August 20 and Gloucester on August 27.

With new signings Sam Tuotupou and Johne Murphy set to be arriving in the late summer, Munster are expected this month to announce at least one new addition. Rumours are abound that a second row is on the shopping list, but with some finals still to be played in Europe, no deals have yet been finalized. If some strong rumours are to be believed, some of the Barbarians on show next week in Thomond Park could very well be staying here for good. More will be revealed at the end of this week.

In academy news, Academy Player of the Year, Scott Deasy, Ian Nagle, Dave Foley, Peter O’Mahony, Stephen Archer and Danny Barnes, have all been promoted to the senior squad on development contracts.  New recruits to the full academy include sub academy players Luke O’Dea, Cathal Sheridan, Simon Zebo, Sean Henry, Brian Hayes, Dave Kilcoyne, Alan Cotter, Gareth Quinn McDonogh and Ronan O’Mahony. JJ Hanrahan also joins the academy, after impressing with his participation in the National Talent Programme throughout the year. Ireland U19 and Exiles player Corey Hircock joins the Munster Rugby Academy from the Bedford Blues, the centre/winger was involved in Ireland U19‘s defeat against the Australia U19 Schools side last December in Cork.

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