Marnus van der Merwe is slated to join Munster's starting lineup for his second URC match against the Bulls this Saturday at Thomond Park. Previously featuring for the Springboks in a victorious clash against the All Blacks in Wellington last year, Van der Merwe first appeared for Munster off the bench during their recent narrow 26-20 loss to the Glasgow Warriors.
With Diarmuid Barron, Alex Nankivell, and Jack O’Donoghue all sidelined under return-to-play protocols, and Mike Haley out due to a knee injury, Munster's options at hooker are thin. Lee Barron and Max Clein are also incapacitated, further straining the team's depth in this crucial position.
Assistant coach Jared Payne addressed the challenges faced by the team in this area.
“There’s a couple of guys working their way back,”Payne noted in his comments to RTE Sport, adding that
“We’ll make a few decisions come Thursday.”
The team will, however, see the return of scrumhalf Craig Casey and prop Jeremy Loughman, both of whom sat out the initial round against Glasgow due to a stand-down agreement following Ireland’s July Tests. Additionally, new signee Jack Aungier is poised to make his season debut along with Tom Ahern, Shane Daly, and Ruadhán Quinn, all of whom have regained full fitness.
