Squad Update

On the injury front Johnny Holland and Gerhard van den Heever are set for lengthy spells on the sidelines, while Dave Kilcoyne has been ruled out for a number of weeks.

Initial tests have shown that van den Heever suffered cruciate ligament damage to his right knee in Munster’s round 3 Champions Cup game against Clermont, and it is expected that the winger will undergo surgery at the end of the month.

It has also been confirmed that prop Dave Kilcoyne will require a six to eight week rehab period for a knee injury he sustained during the same Thomond Park encounter.

While out-half Johnny Holland, who sustained a torn hamstring in Munster’s B&I Cup clash against Nottingham in Temple Hill, underwent surgery last week and will now face a six month recovery period.

Mike Sherry, who has been rehabbing a shoulder injury, underwent a third shoulder operation last Monday in London. In August the hooker underwent a second shoulder stabilisation and despite an intensive four month period of rehabilitation he experienced persistent symptoms that prevented him from progressing through the relevant phases of his return to play protocol.

This week James Cronin (shoulder) and Cathal Sheridan (forearm) continue to be reviewed by the medical staff while Paddy Butler (hip) makes a return to full training.

The squad were back in the gym yesterday after a physical and bruising encounter against Clermont and Head Coach Anthony Foley will wait on news about Andrew Smith who requires further assessment for a knee injury he sustained in the final minute of the game.

The players will gather in Limerick today as they continue their preparations for Glasgow.

Cian Bohane (knee), Alan Cotter (bicep), Keith Earls (knee), Luke O’Dea (wrist), Barry O’Mahony (ankle), Donnacha Ryan (toe) and Damien Varley (foot) all continue with their rehabilitation programmes.