Cheekbone Woe For Munster’s Paringatai
Munster have confirmed that their flanker Jake Paringatai broke his cheekbone during his appearance as a replacement in last Sunday’s Heineken Cup victory over Clermont Auvergne at Thomond Park.
Late on in the province’s 36-13 triumph, Paringatai came on to replace man-of-the-match Alan Quinlan but the former New Zealand Maori forward’s second Heineken Cup outing proved to be one to forget as he sustained damage to his cheekbone during the his short run-out.
The prognosis for the 26-year-old is a four to six week lay-off, meaning he looks set to miss Munster’s back-to-back Heineken Cup clashes with Llanelli Scarlets on December 8 and 16.
Meanwhile, Munster lock and captain Paul O’Connell is continuing his rehabilitation of a back injury and is expected to return to training within the next two to three weeks.
Declan Kidney’s side trained at Dooradoyle, the home of Garryowen FC, on Thursday morning ahead of their Magners League meeting with the Newport Gwent Dragons on Saturday.
Kidney’s main injury worry for the game is flanker David Wallace. The Ireland forward sat out training as he continues his recovery from the dead leg he sustained in the win over Clermont Auvergne.