Munster issued an injury update today ahead of their pre-season match away to La Rochelle on Friday, and there was disappointing news regarding Jack Crowley's likely return date.
Crowley has been out of action since April, missing the end of Munster's BKT United Rugby Championship campaign, and Ireland's Nations Championship Southern Hemisphere Series in July.
After having his lower limb vascular injury assessed by specialists, the Cork-born out-half is not expected to return to action until the new year following medical advice.
Reacting to the setback, Munster head coach Clayton McMillan said: “Jack is a very important player for Munster and Ireland with a big future in the game, and ensuring he gets back to 100% is the priority."
Crowley made five Test starts across last season, proving hugely influential in the number 10 jersey as he scored 42 points during Ireland's Triple Crown-winning run.
The 26-year-old's enforced absence means he will miss the entirety of the inaugural Nations Championship, which concludes with Andy Farrell's men hosting Argentina, Fiji, and South Africa in November, before the finals weekend in London.
Meanwhile, in another untimely setback for Munster, new signing Will Harrison suffered a reaggravation of a knee injury in pre-season and is being managed by the province's medical department.
With the Australian playmaker, who can operate at out-half, full-back, and centre, joining Crowley on the sidelines, JJ Hanrahan and Academy duo Tom Wood and Charlie O'Shea are the province's out-half options.
"Will's injury is a frustrating one for him because he has come into a new environment and made an immediate impression," explained McMillan, whose side open the new URC season at home to Glasgow Warriors on Saturday, September 26.
"But the reaggravation is a setback and we want to make sure he's in the best possible condition before he takes the field.
"We have a good mix of experience and youth available in the out-half position with JJ Hanrahan, and Tom Wood and Charlie O'Shea from the Academy.
"JJ has played 160 games for Munster and is our third highest points scorer of all-time, so he is a player we know we can count on.
"Tom Wood and Charlie O'Shea are very exciting young players who have come up through the Munster pathway and excelled with the Ireland Under-20s last season.
"Tom made his Munster debut last season, with Charlie joining the Academy earlier this month, and they will get opportunities this year so we are excited to see what they can do."
Munster's latest update from camp also confirmed that South African newcomer Marnus van der Merwe has started to reintegrate to team training, having suffered a calf injury at the end of last season.
Edwin Edogbo, Tom Farrell (both shoulder), and Calvin Nash (hamstring) underwent successful surgeries this summer and are all expected to return during the opening block of URC fixtures.
Ruadhán Quinn has undergone surgery on an ankle injury this month, and is expected to be back for the early rounds of the new season.
McMillan has brought a 33-man squad to south west France for tomorrow's pre-season encounter with La Rochelle (kick-off 7.30pm local time/6.30pm Irish time), selecting two teams - one for each half.
Munster's only home pre-season outing is against Leicester Tigers at Virgin Media Park on Friday, September 18 (kick-off 7.15pm). Tickets are available to buy here.
