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TWO GAMES PLAYED AHEAD OF NEW SEASON As part of the build up to today’s URC opener, <strong>Munster</strong> played two pre-season games in recent weeks with 44 players involved over the two games. <strong>Munster</strong> had been expecting to play Bath on 4 September at Thomond Park, however, following the cancellation of that game, a 60-minute training match took place in front of the limited crowd in Thomond Park. The <strong>Munster</strong> Grey team, captained by Rory Scannell claimed a 38-21 win. <strong>Munster</strong> travelled to Sandy Park on 11 September last and played out an entertaining clash against Exeter Chiefs in front of a big home crowd, with the visitors winning 31-19. The sides were level at 12-all after 40 minutes. Thirty-one <strong>Munster</strong> players were involved on the day with tries from Rory Scannell, Calvin Nash (two), Neil Cronin and Roman Salanoa. Ben Healy and Jack Crowley added points off the tee. The clash saw Neil Cronin make a welcome return to action from a long-term knee injury. Jack O’Donoghue captained the side with Greencore <strong>Munster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> Academy quartet Mark Donnelly, Cian Hurley, Paddy Kelly and Paddy Patterson all featuring. MUNSTER TRAINING MATCH TEAMS <strong>Munster</strong> Red: Matt Gallagher; Seán French, Calvin Nash, Alex McHenry, Conor Phillips; Jack Crowley, Rowan Osborne; Liam O’Connor, Scott Buckley, Keynan Knox; Jean Kleyn, Fearghail O’Donoghue; Jack O’Donoghue (C), Jack Daly, Daniel Okeke. Replacements: Mark Donnelly, Roman Salanoa, Neil Cronin, Ben Healy. <strong>Munster</strong> Grey: Simon Zebo; Jonathan Wren, Liam Coombes, Rory Scannell (C), Ethan Coughlan; Jake Flannery, Paddy Patterson; Josh Wycherley, Diarmuid Barron, Stephen Archer; Cian Hurley, Paddy Kelly; John Forde, Chris Cloete, Alex Kendellen. Replacements: Ronan Loughnane, James French, Alan Flannery, Darragh French. EXETER CHIEFS V MUNSTER Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Dan Goggin, Rory Scannell, Matt Gallagher; Ben Healy, Rowan Osborne; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Keynan Knox; Jean Kleyn, Thomas Ahern; Jack O’Donoghue (C), Chris Cloete, Alex Kendellen. Replacements (all used): Diarmuid Barron, Liam O’Connor, Josh Wycherley, Roman Salanoa, Mark Donnelly, Cian Hurley, Jack O’Sullivan, Paddy Kelly, Jack Daly, Neil Cronin, Paddy Patterson, Jack Crowley, Jake Flannery, Liam Coombes, Alex McHenry, Seán French. Calvin Nash runs in a try against Exeter Chiefs MUNSTER V CELL C SHARKS | 25.09.21 | THOMOND PARK 19