ENTERING the Six Nations break, Munster are placed sixth (behind Glasgow Warriors, Leinster, Stormers, Ulster, and Cardiff) in the URC table, despite their weekend loss away to the table toppers.
Coach Clayton McMillan has certainly put his faith in the younger players and, going on the last outing in Scotland, Munster can be confident that their home-bred crop will not let them down when called upon.
With JJ Hanrahan out and Jack Crowley unavailable because of international duty, 19-year-old Tom Wood was called on to fill the gap.
It was an opportunity that he has grasped with both hands, and the former St Munchin’s College and Garryowen number 10 made a big impression.
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Afterwards, he revealed: “I wasn’t sure if I would be in the 23 actually until about Wednesday. It was a proud moment for me and my family but it’s a shame that we did not get the result.”
Wood will feature with Ireland in the imminent Under-20 Six Nations Championship, which kicks off for us with a trip to France on Friday.
His rise to this high pedigree has now reached three generations, following in the footsteps of grandad Gordon and dad Keith.
It was nice to see another local connection after the fixture in Scotstoun, with Jack Oliver, who came on as a scrum-half replacement, meeting his former Munster colleagues.
Munster’s next outing in the competition isn’t until the visit of Zebre to Thomond Park on the last weekend of this month.
In a welcome announcement, The Reds have confirmed a two-year contract extension of Diarmuid Barron.
He has appeared in almost 100 outings with Munster, and has captained the team on a fair few occasions.
Finally, two of the world’s deepest player pathways go head-to-head when Ireland A meet their counterparts from England at Thomond Park this Friday, 7.15pm.
A host of eye-catching young talent on show from both countries, and tickets are available through ticketmaster.ie.