Dougall Out Until Mid-December

Munster flanker Sean Dougall is set to be sidelined for the next number of weeks with a knee injury he picked up in last weekend’s RaboDirect PRO12 win at the Cardiff Blues.

Sean Dougall had to be helped off with a knee injury 25 minutes into the game at Cardiff Arms Park. An update issued today has ruled him out of action until mid-December.

It was confirmed after an initial scan that Dougall suffered a grade 3 ligament sprain in his knee and he will undergo further examination next week when he meets with the specialist.

With the break for the November internationals, Rob Penney’s men are idle until their November 25 date with the Scarlets at Musgrave Park.

The province’s ‘A’ team will play their Leinster counterparts at Donnybrook next Thursday (kick-off 2.30pm), and a number of senior players are expected to get game-time in that fixture.

Munster’s Elite Player Development Manager Peter Malone told the province’s website: “The ‘A’ side are away to Leinster in their third Interpro game next week and it should be a crossover squad, with senior players joining Academy players in that game.

“Our guys have stood up well in their British & Irish Cup games, so it would be good if there’s a mix between senior and Academy players as the guys can learn from the seniors and it’s always a good run-out.”

Some of the Munster Academy players are currently nursing knocks during a busy period for them, with Under-20, British & Irish Cup and Ulster Bank League matches coming thick and fast.

Darren Sweetnam (ankle), Corey Hircock (ankle), Shane Buckley (groin) and Darren Moroney (hamstring) are all on the injury list at present, while Dolphin back rower Ryan Murphy made a welcome return from a shoulder operation last weekend.

One young player who has caught the eye of Malone in recent weeks is out-half Johnny Holland, who kicked Cork Constitution to back-to-back Division 1 wins over Young Munster and leaders Lansdowne.

“Johnny has been turning out well for Cork Con, especially the last few weeks when he has kicked last minute touchline kicks,” he explained.

“He’s showing his mental strength and it’s something you look for in an out-half when the chips are down to kick that last minute conversion or penalty to win.

“He’s played a few positions for the Munster ‘A’ team – a bit of out-half and full-back – so he’s going well. He’s been playing a lot of games so he should be happy with how he’s going at the moment.”