Munster have been left counting the cost of two bruising inter-provincial games over the festive period. To make matters worse, they are playing again in three days.
Munster head coach Johann van Graan faced the media, over at the province’s University of Limerick headquarters, and he had some bad news to share.
Following the festive Guinness PRO14 losses to Leinster and Ulster, van Graan and his coaching staff must plan for the visit of Connacht without some key men.
Just back from a thumb injury that saw him miss the November internationals for Ireland and a few Munster games, hooker Niall Scannell is now out for four to six weeks after injuring his ribs. That means Scannell will miss the upcoming Champions Cup pool games and the start of the Six Nations.
Another man in danger of spending a significant spell on the sidelines is Tommy O’Donnell. The openside is another who has missed out on a number of provincial and international games. He injured his shoulder in November and, despite two games back over Christmas, is now off to see a shoulder specialist. Van Graan admitted O’Donnell could be a long term absentee.
Billy Holland, Calvin Nash, and James Cronin all suffered knocks in the 24-17 while Chris Cloete was assessed as having picked up a bang despite making it to the final whistle.
Van Graan reflected on a quite unfortunate injury situation that must be verging on unique in rugby, despite the extra demands and work-loads on players today. He told reporters:
“Injury-wise, we’ve got a whole list. We’ve an injury in almost every position – prop, hooker, tighthead prop, lock, all three loose forwards, a nine as well, Jack Stafford. A ten, twelve… we do have am injury in every position.”
Munster fans looking for a glimmer of light have three morsels of news that may yet turn out to be positive.
Ireland centre Chris Farrell may be in line to face Connacht, on Saturday, if he comes through training okay while James Cronin has been training and winger Ronan O’Mahony has recovered from illness.
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