Munster front row crisis deepens as key clashes loom large

Munster could be without their frontline second row for Saturday’s RaboDirect Pro12 top of the table derby clash with Leinster after Donnacha Ryan joined captain Paul O’Connell on the list of injury doubts for the Thomond Park showdown.

Munster came away from Galway following their narrow 20-16 league victory over Connacht on Saturday night with no fresh injury concerns ahead of the visit of the current table toppers and European champions but the shoulder injury Ryan received against Scotland is still giving the lock trouble and director of coaching Tony McGahan said both he and O’Connell were doubtful starters this weekend.

With a Heineken Cup quarter-final against Ulster to follow the Leinster clash eight days later, the European tie was O’Connell’s primary objective following the medial cruciate ligament damage he suffered in his left knee against France on March 4.