Gaffney says Hendo loss is a hammer blow to Munster

MUNSTER coach Alan Gaffney has described the loss of Rob Henderson as “a hammer blow” in advance of upcoming Celtic League encounters.

Despite Munster’s opening match victory over former champions Leinster, Gaffney believes Munster will have to pull out all the stops to maintain an unbeaten competitive record at Thomond Park on Friday.

With so many Munster players away on World Cup duty, Gaffney could do with the experience of Henderson, who could be out of action for up to ten weeks after undergoing an operation for a torn bicep.