MUNSTER’S MATHEWSON TO BIDE HIS TIME

CONOR MURRAY’S temporary replacement Alby Mathewson has arrived in Limerick.

The former All-black has linked up with his team-mates but will not feature when they travel to Glasgow later this week.

The 32-year-old, capped five times by New Zealand, is waiting on a work permit but with Neil Cronin putting in a solid display against the Cheetahs on Saturday, and James Hart, Duncan Williams and Jack Stafford all available in the pivot position, coach Johann van Graan has plenty of cover.

Mathewson (far right), who won two of his five caps against Munster at Thomond Park in 2008 and against Ireland at the

Aviva Stadium in 2010, joins after making 19 appearances for Toulon last season but has been out of contract since the end of the Top 14 campaign. “He left Toulon a few weeks ago and returned to Perth,” said van Graan.

“I’m treating him as an injured player that is returning. He’s in very good physical condition.

“If you look at him obviously he’s been training on his own. One of the reasons we got him is he is a true professional, looks after the body very well across his career.”

Munster’s early season seems to be all about the No.9 shirt with Murray (inset) believed to be suffering from a neck or shoulder injury.

It is that which has prompted Munster to bring in the experienced Mathewson on a four-month deal.

The Reds yesterday issued a squad update which listed eight players unavailable, with the injuries included for all of them bar Murray.