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Van Graan says some isolating Munster players could play Wasps

Johann van Graan claims that some of the Munster players isolating after their return from South ...



Johann van Graan claims that some of the Munster players isolating after their return from South Africa could play against Wasps. 

However, the head coach has revealed that some of the 34 players and staff that returned to Ireland last week have since tested positive for COVID-19.

Academy manager Ian Costello has been overseeing preparations for Sunday's Heineken Champions Cup game in Coventry, with 22 young players added to his panel earlier this week.

Seasoned internationals Peter O'Mahony, Tadhg Beirne, Keith Earls, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery and Andrew Conway are among those who avoided the South African excursion.

Fourteen players remain in Cape Town having tested positive over there, but they are due to trickle home in the coming days.

"There's so many dynamics at play here," the head coach said, "All I will say is that Public Health has been excellent in assisting us. There's a full PCR testing programme going on.

"There will potentially be certain players available. We've got to announce a team on Friday afternoon, we've still got to go and get through training after that, so anything is possible at this stage.

"But the main message from myself and all the coaches this week is that the whole focus is on the players in the HPC (High Performance Centre).

"If we need any assistance in terms of selection, we will give that but you have to also look at the bigger picture here.

"Guys have been sitting in their hotel rooms for almost two weeks, at home.

"Some players are sick, others aren't. It hasn't been ideal but we are putting all our effort into the players at the HPC.

"If we can and need to, we will assist from the outside."

Van Graan's insisted that no-one is seriously ill, and that he - and not Costello - will pick the Munster team on Sunday.

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Coronavirus Covid-19 Heineken Champions Cup Johann Van Graan Munster Omicron