United Rugby Championship: Munster without RG Snyman for Sharks clash while Sean O’Brien switch confirmed

Munster will be without star second-row RG Snyman when they take on the Sharks in their United Rugby Championship (URC) clash in Durban on Saturday.

The 28-year-old has seen little action since joining Munster in 2020 after suffering two ACL ruptures but he has gradually regained his form and fitness after returning to action in March.

However, the 2019 Rugby World Cup winner with the Springboks has been ruled out of the Sharks encounter due to a concussion suffered in Munster‘s 26-24 URC victory over the Stormers in Cape Town last weekend.

Snyman delivered a fine performance in only his second start and fourth match back after his second knee injury. He played for 65 minutes against the Stormers before leaving the field for a HIA which he failed.

Munster said Snyman is following the graduated return to play protocols which rules him out of the clash against the Sharks, which is their last match of the league phase of the URC.

Better injury news

Meanwhile, there was better news regarding Diarmuid Barron, who injured his neck against the Stormers.

Barron scored two tries against the defending champions but was forced off the field late in the second half. He did return to full training this week and could play against the Sharks.

Dave Kilcoyne could also line up against Neil Powell’s troops as he increased his training load, but his availability for the match will be determined later in the week.

In other news, Munster and the Irish Rugby Football Union have confirmed the signing of Sean O’Brien on a two-year deal from Exeter Chiefs ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The centre has been at the Chiefs for the past two seasons and started in the Premiership outfit’s Champions Cup round-of-16 and quarter-final matches.

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The 24-year-old began his senior career with Connacht and represented Ireland’s U20s in 2018 alongside current Munster players Barron, Jack Daly and Jack O’Sullivan.