Munster will again be without their World Cup-winning centre Damian de Allende and Joey Carbery for their concluding Heineken Champions Cup match against Wasps at Thomond Park next Sunday (kick-off 3.15pm).
De Allende has still not recovered from the abdominal injury which has ruled him out since the New Year’s Day defeat by Connacht and, indeed, the province have confirmed that “he will be unavailable for a number of weeks”.
Carbery hasn't played since the epic round one win away to Wasps when he suffered a fractured elbow and along with Rowan Osborne (head) and RG Snyman (knee) will continue to be managed by the medical department "and are not available".
Furthermore, hooker Niall Scannell will undertake a scan on the shoulder injury he sustained in last Friday's 16-13 win in Castres.
Munster sit third in Pool A as one of only five teams with three wins out of three in a tournament affected by eight cancelled matches, and come kick-off on Sunday the remainder of the fourth round matches in Pool B will have been completed.
Hence, while Munster have already qualified for the two-legged round of 16, were Leicester not to extract maximum points from their final game at home to Bordeaux on Saturday a top two seeding and the carrot of potential home advantage in the latter stages of the tournament could be on offer.
Wasps, though , are also right in the mix after their win over defending champions Toulouse last Saturday. Currently eighth, come kick-off they could either be already through to the last 16 or fighting for their lives.
More positive news in Munster's injury update is that Calvin Nash (ankle), Jason Jenkins (abdomen) and Chris Cloete (neck) will all be reintroduced to training this week and "their respective availability will be decided later in the week".
The province have also confirmed the departure of defence coach JP Ferreira at the end of the current season. Ferreira, who joined the province in December 2017, will join Johann van Graan in making the move to Premiership outfit Bath, a development which was widely anticipated.
“This has not been an easy decision to make as my family and I have thoroughly enjoyed our life in Limerick and are part of a very close-knit community,” said Ferreira.
“I have been in this role for five seasons and during this time I have enjoyed every minute of coaching at this incredible club.
“The experience I have gained and the friendships that I have made along the way will forever stay with me. The way Munster Rugby opened their arms to my family and I throughout my tenure has been outstanding and we are forever grateful to everyone that has made this journey memorable and possible.
“On a personal note, as a family with young children we have an opportunity to experience a different environment and new challenges and we feel this move is the right next step for us.
“I’m very proud of what this group has achieved, and I’m excited for the months ahead as we remain focused on the task at hand, committed to delivering success with this group of players and staff.”
There were 12 Munster players in All-Ireland League action at the weekend in Division 1A and 1B. Academy fullback Patrick Campbell, one of the star turns in that win away to Wasps, scored the winning try off the bench for Young Munster as they defeated UCD. Academy lock Eoin O’Connor also featured for the Cookies.
Senior duo Liam O’Connor and Seán French were in action for Cork Constitution away to Terenure, with the hosts claiming a 13-6 victory.
Senior flanker Jack Daly was a try scorer for Garryowen in their loss to Clontarf with Academy trio Tony Butler, Mark Donnelly and Cian Hurley also featuring. James French started for UCC in their defeat to Dublin University.
In Division 1B, Declan Moore, who has returned to Munster following a loan spell with Ulster, started for Shannon in their Munster derby draw with Highfield at Woodleigh Park. Roman Salanoa and Academy scrumhalf Ethan Coughlan also featured off the bench for Shannon.
Academy back three player Conor Phillips has been training with the Ireland Sevens squad and has been selected in the squad for the World Rugby Sevens Series double-header in Spain.
