MUNSTER rugby kick off their preseason this weekend as they travel to La Rochelle in France on Friday night. The game, to be played at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre, is the first of three preseason games for the Munster squad. The Red Army will take on Wasps next Friday night week August 19 in Musgrave Park before returning to Thomond Park on August 26 to face London Irish.
With new additions for this season, Ian Keatley and BJ Botha both expected to see some game time over the coming weeks, Munster fans remain optimistic that more new names might still join the ranks.
Speaking last week at a Munster training session, McGahan feels that Munster might have to play a waiting game for any more additions.
“We may have to wait until after the World Cup and that’s fine. We have not found a suitable candidate yet, but the World Cup is a factor. The announcement of the squads later this month could have a bearing. There may be some who feel they might lessen their chances of making a World Cup squad if they declare an intention to go abroad, so some might come into the frame at that point. Then, of course, others will emerge during the tournament and we will have to wait and see who comes through. Getting the most suitable player is the most important thing and we are prepared to wait.”
It is no secret that Munster are looking once more for a top class centre. An inside centre seems to be more of a worry than at 13. With names such as James Downey, Jean De Villiers and Conrad Smith doing the rounds at the moment, Munster have been linked with more players than a premiership soccer club. With the competitive season less than a month away, Munster will need to make sure that if they wait for a player until after the World Cup, the player must be worth the wait.
Fans were not entirely happy with messrs De Villiers and Tuitupou over the last couple of seasons. It appears 12’s are harder to come by than tight head props these days.
