Munster have received mixed news ahead of their vital final game of their regular URC season against Leinster next Saturday at the Aviva Stadium (7.15pm, live on TG4 and Premier Sports).
On the plus side, Gavin Coombes (ankle), Chris Cloete (head) and Jack O'Sullivan (knee) will all return to training this week. Coombes has been sidelined for five weeks, missing both legs of Munster's Heineken Champions Cup tie against Exeter and the quarter-final against Toulouse as well as the URC wins over Ulster and Cardiff with the injury he sustained in their defeat by Leinster at Thomond Park.
However, Munster will be without both Simon Zebo due to the chest/rib injury he sustained in the Toulouse tie and Damian de Allende, who is also being treated for a chest injury, next weekend.
Furthermore Peter O’Mahony, who was forced off against Toulouse with a “persistent stinger” is a doubt and will be managed through the week, while Mike Haley, who failed a HIA in that encounter, is progressing through the return to play protocols and his availability will be determined later in the week.
James French is reintegrating to rugby training as he finalises his return from a knee injury while Neil Cronin sustained an ankle injury in training last week and will go for a scan today.
John Hodnett (knee), Dave Kilcoyne (neck), Tadhg Beirne (thigh) and RG Snyman (knee) all remain sidelined.
