Munster back rows on the mend
Back rows Niall Ronan, Sean Dougall and Barry O'Mahony will make their return to full training with the Munster squad this week with all three expected to be in consideration for Sunday’s crucial Heineken Cup meeting against Saracens.
Ronan was stretchered off in Munster’s PRO12 defeat to Scarlets two weeks ago but has made a quick recover while with Dougall (knee) and O’Mahony (groin) are also returning to provide some competition in the back row ahead of Munster’s visit to Vicarage Road.
One back rower who is unlikely be in contention for a starting place at the weekend is Tommy O’Donnell however the flanker will be re-integrated to squad training towards the end of this week.
Simon Zebo is expected to be fit and well for the game on Sunday but Shane Buckley has been ruled out of the British and Irish side for Friday's Musgrave Park clash with Rotherham Titans.
Both sustained ankle injuries but Buckley's has proven the more serious and he is ruled out.
Ronan O'Gara is also reported to be showing no ill-effects from the back problem that made him doubtful for the Saracens game.
The issue arose after training last week and as a result JJ Hanrahan was sent back from England as cover. However, O'Gara overcame the injury to play a vital role in Munster’s 15-9 win on Saturday.
A Munster spokesperson admitted that the veteran flyhalf looked doubtful to feature at the weekend when the back problem arose.
"Obviously, it wasn't something we wanted to advertise," they said. "But on Friday night you really couldn't see him playing.
“And then it was a case of let's see if he gets through the warm-up. For him then to go out and do what he did says it all about the character of the man."
