Ireland quartet and Springbok sidelined for Munster while Jacob Stockdale set for surgery as Ulster lose key duo
Tadhg Beirne and Jacob Stockdale in action for Munster and Ulster respectively.
Munster have been hit by a spate of injuries ahead of their United Rugby Championship (URC) showdown with Connacht as five internationals are ruled out.
Missing for Saturday’s meeting at Dexcom Stadium will be Tadhg Beirne (knee), Tom Farrell (shoulder), Calvin Nash (hamstring), Oli Jager (head) and Jean Kleyn (biceps).
The Ireland quartet and Springbok World Cup winner were all injured in the recent win over a second-string Ulster side while Jack Crowley withdrew shortly before kick-off.
Crowley update
On the fitness of the in-form Ireland fly-half, Munster revealed in an update that Crowley is available for selection against Connacht as the team looks to seal a play-off spot.
Currently they sit in fifth spot, just two points behind the Lions (third) and Leinster (fourth) but also only four points ahead of Ulster, who complete the top eight positions.
Ninth-placed Connacht are the side hunting down those above them and will hope for any slip-ups from their rivals over the remaining two rounds of the regular campaign.
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Saturday’s fixture is therefore a perfect opportunity for Connacht to give themselves a chance of making the eight whilst also landing a blow to Munster, their play-off rivals.
As well as Crowley being declared fit, there was also positive news on second-rower Fineen Wycherley as he returns to Munster training this week following a knee problem.
Elsewhere, Roman Salanoa played 20 minutes as a replacement for Munster A in Friday’s win over Connacht Eagles in Galway and moved a step closer to first-team action.
Ulster setback
Ulster also released a medical update on Tuesday and like Munster it made for grim reading, with two Ireland internationals and back-row David McCann set for time on the sidelines.
Richie Murphy’s team are preparing to host URC table toppers the Stormers at Affidea Stadium on Friday night but they will be without an influential duo in their backline.
Jacob Stockdale sustained a facial fracture in the EPCR Challenge Cup victory against Exeter Chiefs. He will see a maxillo-facial surgeon this week to further assess the injury.
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Stuart McCloskey (hamstring) and McCann (knee) were also injured in the semi-final win over the Chiefs and will have MRI scans to assess the extent of these two injuries.
However, Angus Bell (foot), Rob Herring (calf) and Scott Wilson (ankle) have reintegrated into training and their fitness for selection against the Stormers will be assessed.