Munster prepare to take on the Tigers

THE Munster rugby squad is due to return home from their week-long warm weather training camp in La Manga tomorrow as preparations continue for Friday night’s pre-season friendly clash with the Leicester Tigers.
Since their arrival in Spain on Tuesday last the 44-strong squad have been getting in two pitch sessions each day plus one gym session in ideal conditions at a facility which Munster coach Tony McGahan has described as ‘top class’.
Each day of the seven day training camp has begun for the management with a 7.30am meeting, followed by breakfast and onto the pitch by 9.30am.
Later the players engage in a gym, an early evening pitch session as well as various organisational sessions. The day concludes for the players with swimming pool recovery at 6.30pm.
Munster’s field sessions have proved extremely popular with holidaymakers with large crowds turning up to watch them being put through their paces. The 1400-acre La Manga resort is located near Murcia in southern Spain, in a region known as the Costa Cálida, or ‘warm coast’, thanks to its mild, year-round Mediterranean climate.
The Munster squad is due to arrive home tomorrow (Tuesday) evening.
Munster face the Leicester Tigers in the first of two pre-season friendlies at Musgrave Park this Friday night at 7pm.
Munster also take on Gloucester in a second fixture at Musgrave Park seven days later.
Munster will play seven of their 11 home Magners League fixtures this season at Thomond Park
The 2009 Magners League winners Munster will face Italian newcomers Aironi at Musgrave Park in their opening fixture in the competition on Saturday, September 4 at 7.30pm.
Munster’s second home game in the League, a glamour tie with the reigning champions, the Ospreys on Saturday, September 18 will be staged at Thomond Park at 8pm.
Each of Munster’s three home fixtures against the remaining Irish provinces will, once again, be staged at Thomond Park.
These fixtures include the tie against Ulster on New Year’s Day, the eagerly-awaited meeting with arch rivals Leinster on April 1-3, 2011 and the final home game in the competition’s regular season when Connacht are the visitors on the weekend of May 6-8.
Munster will play four of their home Magners League fixtures next season in Musgrave Park.

COLM KINSELLA