Simon Zebo cleared by disciplinary panel to play against Castres

Simon Zebo's luck may finally have changed. Restricted to just four appearances since his prodigal return from Racing 92 during the summer, and sent-off in Munster's win over Ulster last Saturday, the 31-year-old winger cum fullback has escaped any ensuing suspension and is free to play this weekend.

Zebo was red carded by referee Mike Adamson in the 15th minute last Saturday when chasing a kick ahead and appearing to catch the Ulster fullback Michael Lowry in the chin with his right shoulder.

But a disciplinary panel comprising of Declan Goodwin (Chair, Wales), Frank Hadden and Sarah Smith (both Scotland) concluded that his actions did not result in foul play according to a statement from URC.

"In particular, on detailed examination of the video evidence, the panel determined that it was No 10 of Munster who completes the tackle on Michael Lowry (No 15) of Ulster with Simon Zebo only making minimal contact whilst wrapping his left arm."

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This follows the announcement earlier this week that Zebo was one of six players to re-sign for the province after agreeing a new two-year deal and Munster have confirmed that a further five players have put pen to paper in addition to the other 13 recent contract extensions, including Conor Murray’s IRFU deal.

The latest include the Springboks’ World Cup-winning lock RG Snyman. The 26-year-old has been cruelly unfortunate to suffer not one but two cruciate ligament injuries, thus restricting him to just 54 minutes in four appearances since joining Munster in the summer of last year.

His rapturously received try against the Stormers at Thomond Park in early October was a tantalisingly brief glimpse of the X factor which the 6’ 9” lock could bring and the two-year deal that will see him remain with the province until at least June 2024 is a testimony of faith in his undoubted abilities.

“Despite enduring a difficult time with injuries since arriving at the province in the summer of 2020, the 26-year-old is well settled at his Limerick base. An out-and-out leader, he is highly regarded across the squad,” read a Munster statement confirming the news.

Props Stephen Archer, Roman Salanoa, Liam O’Connor, and hooker Scott Buckley have also all committed their futures to Munster.

Archer, who is the province’s most-capped prop with 235 appearances, has penned a one-year contract extension. The 33-year-old is the most recent player to reach 200 caps in 2019, joining a group of 11 players to reach the milestone.

O’Connor, a loosehead product of CBC, the Munster academy, Dolphin and Cork Constitution, has also signed a one-year contract extension having made 32 Munster appearances since his 2016 debut in a Champions Cup clash against Stade Francais.

Despite having played only eight games, all off the bench, it is also a statement of faith in Salanoa that he has signed on for three more years.

A former USA Under-20 international, the Hawaiian joined the Leinster academy in 2018 before making the move to Munster in the summer of 2020.

Ala Alex Kendellen, the 20-year-old Buckley has been promoted from the academy to the senior squad ahead of next season after signing a two-year deal following his eye-catching, try-scoring, man of the match debut performance in the Champions Cup win over Wasps.