Cronin Ruled Out For Four Weeks

Following on from scans earlier in the week, there were mixed results for Donnacha Ryan and James Cronin according to a Munster injury update released today.

On a positive note, it was confirmed that Donnacha Ryan sustained a low-grade knee injury and the Tipperary-lock is expected to return to training next week, while prop James Cronin has been ruled out for approximately four weeks with an ankle ligament injury.

Munster’s list of players not available for selection through injury include Stephen Archer (neck), Duncan Casey (pec), Andrew Conway (hip), James Cronin (ankle), Sean Doyle (back), Keith Earls (neck), Dave Foley (dead leg), Dave O’Callaghan (adductor), Peter O’Mahony (ACL), Conor Murray (hip pointer), Donnacha Ryan (knee) and Cathal Sheridan (calf).

Meanwhile, there are two changes to the Munster team to play Ulster this afternoon, with Conway and Foley both failing to recover from their respective injuries sustained against Leinster last weekend.

Gerhard van den Heever comes straight into the side, starting on the right wing with Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino switching to full-back, while Billy Holland is promoted from the bench and Shane Buckley will provide back-up.

MUNSTER (v Ulster): Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino; Gerhard van den Heever, Francis Saili, Rory Scannell, Ronan O’Mahony; Ian Keatley, Tomas O’Leary; Dave Kilcoyne, Mike Sherry, BJ Botha, Billy Holland, Mark Chisholm, Jack O’Donoghue, Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander (capt).

Replacements: Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Mario Sagario, Shane Buckley, Robin Copeland, Duncan Williams, Tyler Bleyendaal, Denis Hurley.