URC latest: Munster boosted by returning Ireland stars but four out while Leinster suffer crucial blows
Craig Casey (left) and Max Deegan (right) feature in the latest injury updates from Munster and Leinster
Munster and Leinster have issued full injury updates ahead of their United Rugby Championship (URC) clashes this weekend, with the two Irish provinces missing a number of key men.
Clayton McMillan’s side take on the Bulls at Thomond Park as they seek to improve on their loss to Glasgow Warriors last time out, while Leinster will hope to bounce back from defeat against the Lions when they face the Sharks in Durban.
They both name their match-day 23s on Thursday, as per new URC regulations.
Ireland pair return but Munster without four men for Bulls clash
The headline news coming out of the Munster camp this week is the return of Ireland internationals Craig Casey and Jeremy Loughman, who come back into contention this weekend. The duo were both under IRFU rest protocols last weekend, following their involvement in the Nations Championship tour back in July.
In other positive news, Tom Ahern, Jack Aungier, Shane Daly and Ruadhán Quinn are all back in training as they continue to make their returns from injury.
However, McMillan will be without Diarmuid Barron, Jack O’Donoghue and Alex Nankivell this weekend, with the trio under return-to-play protocols, while Mike Haley will also miss the clash after suffering a knee injury.
Leinster without Ireland duo
Leo Cullen is also having to do it tough on the injury front ahead of their clash against the Sharks, with two key men out. Back-rower Max Deegan, who led a rotated Leinster side to victory in their previous outing in Durban, and fly-half Harry Byrne will both miss the contest through concussion and are now under return-to-play protocols.
That also comes amid the backdrop of the continued absences of Jack Boyle, RG Snyman, Caelan Doris, Paddy McCarthy, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jordan Larmour, Diarmuid Mangan and James Culhane too, with that cohort still sidelined.
Josh Ericson is also set for further assessments on a neck injury.
Elsewhere, though, Cormac Foley will step up his training load in the coming days as he continues to return from a calf issue.