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Ireland loosehead back in training with Munster but doubts over O'Mahony ahead of Leinster visit

By Ciarán Kennedy
Dave Kilcoyne will return to training with Munster this week. (Getty)

Munster have been handed a major boost with the news that Dave Kilcoyne will return to training this week ahead of the St Stephen’s Day Guinness Pro14 interprovincial derby meeting with Leinster. Kilcoyne has yet to feature for either Munster or Ireland this season following surgery on an ankle injury sustained against Leinster in August, in what was the first match back after the coronavirus-enforced season suspension.

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However the province have confirmed that the loosehead will make a welcome return to training this week ahead of the Thomond Park clash against Leo Cullen’s team.

However Peter O’Mahony is in danger of missing the game having being removed from last weekend’s sensational Heineken Champions Cup win in Clermont with a head injury. The Munster captain will now follow the return to play protocols.

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Meanwhile Alex McHenry will also return to training this week having recovered from a thumb injury.

Leinster are likely to send a depleted squad to Limerick for Saturday’s game following a bruising win over Northampton Saints. Yesterday the province confirmed that Garry Ringrose will be unavailable for selection having sustained another jaw injury – the win over Saints was the centre’s first game back since breaking his jaw in October.

There are also doubts surrounding the fitness of Rhys Ruddock, Harry Byrne and Jimmy O’Brien, while Johnny Sexton and Caelan Doris will both be rested for the fixture.

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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