Rugby News

After what seemed like a never-ending stream of bad news, today sees lots of good news for Munster rugby fans.

Things have been tough down in Thomond of late. After seeing more retirements last term than an F1 pit lane it seems like a long time since there was a bit of good news, and fortune, shining on the former Heineken Cup champions.

But today brings lots of pleasant reading for Munster fans, with the big news that Kiwi Doug Howlett is back in training ahead of schedule. The former All Black missed most of last term but he is now expected to play on most of Munster’s pre-season matches.

And the good news doesn’t end there as the Irish Independent also reports that Dave Foley, Damien Varley, Duncan Williams and Johne Murphy will all be back and fit for the start of the new season.

And their most important player, Paul O’Connell, should be back in training by the end of the month.

This is all a major boost to new boss Rob Penney, who arrives in Ireland next week to begin the job of getting Munster back to the top of the game in Ireland and Europe.

Any worried Leinster fans out there?