Advertisement League of Ireland Horse Racing TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Behind the Lines Sportswriters discuss their careers and the work that inspires them. Rugby Weekly Extra Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week The Football Family Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points Advertisement More Stories Munster interim coach Ian Costello.Laszlo Geczo/INPHO FreeInjury news Nankivell and Loughman set to return to give interim Munster coach Ian Costello a boost Hooker Diarmuid Byrne also in the mix for Friday’s meeting with Edinburgh. 6.29pm, 25 Feb 2025 Share options MUNSTER HAVE RECEIVED a timely boost with two players who were regulars last season set to return to action after recovering from lengthy injuries as they head into the business end of the season. But while centre Alex Nankivell, out since December with a hamstring injury, and loosehead Jeremy Loughman, who has been sidelined with a hip problem since October, will boost the options available to interim head coach Ian Costello and his coaching team, they are offset by Shane Daly and Oli Jager heading for scans after the Ireland A game against England A in Bristol. Both could face lengthy spells on the sideline as they join an injury list heading towards the dozen mark in the Munster squad, although hooker Diarmuid Barron has completed his HIA protocols and is in the mix for Friday’s URC clash with Edinburgh in Cork. Nankivell, who signed a two-year contract extension in December, made 19 appearances, 17 of them starts, in his maiden term last season after joining from the Chiefs but he’s been confined to half a dozen games in this campaign. Advertisement Similarly, Loughman, who made 22 appearances last term, all but three of them starts, has only played five this season after suffering a hip injury in October. “The boys are tracking well. Yeah. They’re both back training, producing some good stuff in training,” said Munster defence coach Denis Leamy. “It’s just to see how they progress over the next couple of days and how they respond to the load, the heavy load, and make a decision on them later in the week.” Munster, having won four of their last five URC games, are hoping to win three league matches in a row for the first time in almost a year. And Leamy knows that this is the time to build momentum, not least when Munster won three on the spin last season away to Ospreys they strung out the run to ten league wins in a row before their hopes were dashed by Glasgow Warriors in the URC semi-finals. “We’ve won four of the last five games in the URC,” added Leamy. “There’s a brilliant buzz within our environment, the group are very tight, very united, a great vibe to the last couple of weeks and we’re looking forward to the remainder of the season.” Munster’s good form sees them go into this round in fifth place on 31 points but he’s expecting a tough task against an Edinburgh side who are ninth on 25 points and who can lean on former Reds out-half Ben Healy for some inside knowledge. “We are very much looking forward to this Friday night and the challenge that Edinburgh presents,” added Leamy. “They’re a very experienced team. Obviously, they’ve a number of internationals. They’ve got somebody who knows our environment well, in Ben Healy.” John Fallon View 6 comments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Nankivell and Loughman set to return to give interim Munster coach Ian Costello a boost”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Nankivell and Loughman set to return to give interim Munster coach Ian Costello a boost”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel. Racism or Hate speech An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs. 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