It was a crucial weekend of URC action for Munster Rugby, who bolstered their URC race-to-eight chances with a 30-24 win over Connacht as the tournament nears its closing stages.
The 'Test in the West', which for the first time ever was played in Mayo GAA's MacHale Park in Castlebar saw no shortage of big names or drama, in an eight-try thriller which was still hanging in the balance when the referee blew for full-time.
The bonus point win over their close rivals and move to fifth in the table only complimented the early return of scrumhalf Craig Casey who made his first appearance after months of being sidelined due to a knee injury.
Like he was never gone, the 25-year-old roared back to action, putting in a solid 65-minute shift, dishing out sharp passes, scoring a 22nd-minute try and making a sensational touch-line catch to prevent a Connacht penalty that must have had his physio's heart doing palpitations.
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Goode thinks Craig Casey could be Lions 'bolter'
While after a run on the sidelines and no Six Nations action, Craig Casey looked all but out of contention for a spot on the 2025 Lions Tour to Australia, England legend Andy Goode was reluctant to dismiss his chances.
Speaking on The Rugby Pod, the former out-half was singing the praises of Casey's return to action, and selected him as a potential bolter for Andy Farrell's squad which is set to be announced in May.
I've got another bolter. He's played international rugby a bit, not masses, but a bit. It's a position I don't think we've got huge strenght in.
Back for Munster, he's always been second choice behind Jamison Gibson-Park who is nailed on as our starting nine as it stands. But, when you're looking at the other nines, Craig Casey was injured for the whole of the Six Nations, he's just come back for Munster, he's a class player, he perhaps to me is a bolter that no one is really talking about from the Six Nations.
Ultimately, Faz (Andy Farrell) knows him well as well, and will understand how he operates and the brand of rugby he can play, and he will fit into an Andy Farrell system. So my bolter is going to be Craig Casey.
Goode who enjoyed a decorated career in the English Premiership is one of few prolific names to row their support behind Casey, who before Saturday's win over Connacht, last played rugby in December's Champions Cup lost to Castres.
Given that Casey likely had hopes of competing for a coveted Lions tour spot when the season kicked off, the fact that his name has re-emerged as a potential tourist will only bode well for his confidence in as the closing stages of the season inch closer.
Much of Casey's hopes, however, will lie in how deep Munster can go into the knockout stages of the season. They play La Rochelle this weekend in the Champions Cup round of sixteen - a tie that could make or break their European season, while next up in the URC is an equally trying clash against the Bulls in Thomond Park.
If Munster can keep their European season alive and claim a spot in the knockout stages of the URC, it would be ideal to give Casey and his half-back partner Jack Crowley a platform to prove why they should be on the plane Down Under.
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