Munster boss Penney admits Ryan may be out until new year

Munster are bracing themselves for being without Donnacha Ryan until the new year after the Ireland lock was ruled out of action for up to 10 weeks with a knee injury.

Ryan, 29, strained a number of ligaments during a midair collision with Gloucester’s Rob Cook during last Saturday’s Heineken Cup Pool 6 game at Thomond Park.

Aside from being unavailable for tomorrow night’s top-of-the-table clash at RaboDirect Pro12 leaders Glasgow, Ryan will miss next month’s autumn internationals with Ireland against Samoa, Australia and New Zealand, and looks set to sit out Munster’s European home-and-away clashes with Perpignan in mid-December, at the very least.