There is better news regarding Luke O'Dea who suffered an ankle sprain in that game. The young winger will be back in action in a couple of weeks' time.

Fellow back Sean Scanlon has a lower back problem and is being monitored by the Munster medical team. He has seen a specialist to determine the exact extent of the injury.

There is also a planned visit to a specialist for another of the province's backs, Troy Smith, who picked up a knee injury in training earlier in the week.

However, Munster fans will be heartened to hear that Johne Murphy (knee) is due back jogging next week and former captain Paul O'Connell is edging closer to a return having shown no ill-effects of his rehab track training this week.

O'Connell's second row colleague Ian Nagle, who has been nursing a shoulder injury, is another player who could be back in action early next month.

Meanwhile, Munster Development-contracted prop Alan Cotter is set to replace John Ryan at London Irish following the latter's successful loan spell at the English Premiership club.

Ryan returned to training with Munster this week after a temporary three-week stint with the Exiles. During that time, he made two appearances as a replacement in their games against Saracens and London Wasps.

The length of Cotter's period with the club will be determined on a week-to-week basis.

The 25-year-old from Limerick came through the Munster Academy. His most recent appearance for Munster was in the 'A' interprovincial against Ulster Ravens a week ago.