A DAMIANO MEN
Signs are good for Reds’ hopes with de Allende
MUNSTER have confirmed that World Cup winning signing Damian de Allende has already completed his 14-day period of self-isolation having arrived in Ireland.
The South Africa centre will begin training with the province after the squad’s three-week break that has just commenced, with the current training block of remote training completed.
The Reds are hopeful that de Allende’s Springbok colleague RG Snyman as well as fellow new signing Matt Gallagher, who has joined from Saracens, will also be ready to begin training with their new team-mates.
A Munster statement reads: “Current government measures require passengers to complete a public health passenger locator form and to self-isolate for a 14-day period.
“De Allende has already completed his self-isolation period.”
Prop Roman Salanoa, Munster’s new signing from Leinster, will also meet up with the Reds, while academy quartet Liam Coombes, Keynan Knox, Alex Mchenry and Jack O’sullivan will all join the province’s senior squad.
Munster head coach Johann van Graan (inset) will be hopeful of getting his first look at his new recruits when the Reds return to action with a Guinness PRO14 interpro behind closed doors at the Aviva Stadium on the weekend of August 22/23.
Departing squad members Sammy Arnold, Tyler Bleyendaal, Arno Botha, Sean O’connor, Darren O’shea, Conor Oliver, Ciaran Parker and Brian Scott said their goodbyes last Thursday.
Meanwhile, Premiership and Championship clubs in England were given provisional authorisation yesterday to return to non-contact training, once the Professional Game Board had provided a written declaration that a number of key criteria had been met.
English rugby bosses are hopeful of completing the current season and, under stage one of the planned return, individuals or small groups will be able to train in the same facility while keeping to social distancing rules.
The IRFU is expected to inform the provinces in the coming days of it’s own return to play programme. However it will still be the end of the month before most Irish professionals return to training.
Rugby authorities in France have confirmed that the rest of the season in the Top 14 and D2 will not be completed.
LNR, who run the leagues, stated that there will be no promotion and relegation after an agreement was reached with clubs.
No decision on which French clubs will play in Europe next season will be made until EPCR confirms the format of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.
EPCR still hopes to complete the current European competitions in October, with three French clubs - Toulouse (who are due to host Ulster), Clermont and Racing 92 involved in the quarter-finals.