Fractured Forearm To Keep Cloete Out For Up To Four Months

Following last weekend’s 21-10 win over Glasgow Warriors at a sold-out Irish Independent Park, Munster travel to the Scottish capital for their final GUINNESS PRO14 game of this block in four days’ time.

Influential openside flanker Chris Cloete suffered a forearm fracture against Glasgow and underwent a successful surgery on Saturday morning. The South African is expected to be out for three to four months.

Munster head coach Johann van Graan said: “Chris is a massive loss for Munster. The operation was a success, but he is still in a pain. Luckily, he was all smiles here this morning with his arm. It went well, but it looks like it is the end of the season for Chris.

“He came to Munster this year and had a massive impact on and off the field, he is one of the characters of the team. I think the nicest thing is the way the guys embraced him after the game and even this morning. They know it’s a big loss, but that’s part and parcel of rugby, it’s the next guy’s opportunity to step up.”

There is good news for fellow flanker Tommy O’Donnell as he has returned to full training following an AC joint injury and is available for selection this week. Niall Scannell is being assessed by the medical team after sustaining a knock to the ribs during the Glasgow game.

Andrew Conway played no part against the Warriors and is continuing to receive treatment for a knee injury, while fellow Ireland internationals John Ryan and Rory Scannell have rejoined the Munster squad from Six Nations duty. Centre Sam Arnold has joined the Ireland camp for the next two days, although he will return to Limerick ahead of the round 17 clash with Edinburgh.

Ronan O’Mahony is set to miss the trip to Murrayfield due to a shoulder knock sustained away to Cardiff Blues earlier this month, while Academy player Fineen Wycherley injured his ankle playing for the Munster ‘A’/Development side against Germany’s Wild Rugby Academy last Thursday and is awaiting the results of a scan.