Ronan Hopeful, But Leamy Ruled Out

Early indications are that Niall Ronan, who was forced out of Munster’s RaboDirect PRO12 win over Benetton Treviso last weekend, will be fit in time for consideration for next Saturday’s home Heineken Cup clash with Castres Olympique.

Niall Ronan injured a knee in the process of scoring Munster’s opening try against the Italians and was replaced five minutes later by Donncha O’Callaghan.

However, Tony McGahan and the Munster management are hopeful that the influential flanker will be ready in time for the resumption of the province’s Pool 1 campaign.

But there is bad news concerning fellow back rower Denis Leamy who will need an operation to repair damage to a hip that has been bothering him for some time.

The Cashel man faces up to four months on the sidelines – ruling him out of Ireland’s plans for the fast-approaching RBS 6 Nations.

Leamy joins another Tipperary native on Munster’s injury list. Young flanker Tommy O’Donnell is nursing a knee injury which will keep him out of action for up to six weeks.