Kerr in race against time to line out for Munster in semi-final

SIMON KERR faces a race against time if he is to be fit to take his place on the bench for Munster against Ulster in the semi-final of the Celtic League at Thomond Park on Friday night, kick-off 7.35.

Kerr, the 5ft 10inch, 18stone 4lb prop from Australia, went over on an ankle midway through the first half of Sunday’s AIB League game for Garryowen against Galwegians and was immediately replaced. Kerr, who celebrates his 34th birthday on Saturday next, will have treatment over the coming days but his fellow Aussie, Munster coach Alan Gaffney, accepted last night he was unlikely to make it.

The focus then, of course, will switch to the following week-end when Munster travel to Perpignan for an all-important Heineken Cup tie. Even at this remove, Kerr is obviously a doubtful starter for that fixture.