Mafi Undergoes Shoulder Operation

Centre/winger Lifeimi Mafi will miss Munster’s opening matches of the 2010/11 season as he recovers from a shoulder operation.

Lifeimi Mafi had the operation last Tuesday for an injury that has been troubling him throughout the season, the 28-year-old has used the close season to have the problem sorted out.

Other than that, news concerning Munster’s long term injured players is positive with Denis Leamy (knee), Donnacha Ryan (shoulder), Darragh Hurley (eye), Felix Jones (neck) and Barry Murphy (leg) all expected to be fully fit and available for the province’s opening pre-season match against Leicester Tigers on Friday, August 20.

The venue for that game has yet to be confirmed and nor has it been decided where the second pre-season game – against Gloucester on Friday, August 27, will take place.

Prop Hurley, who sustained an eye tear that subsequently became infected, has been cleared by medics to take full part in training.

Ireland internationals Leamy and Ryan are both recovering well from their injuries and are expected to return with Hurley for pre-season training when it starts at the end of next month.

Centre/winger Murphy is still at the recovery stage but is also expected to report for full training then, while promising full-back/winger Jones has taken part in the last couple of training sessions before season’s end and should be cleared for full contact when pre-season begins.