Zebo and Murray set to return for Munster

Simon Zebo looks set to further boost Munster’s Heineken Cup hopes by following Conor Murray into action on Saturday for the must-win Pool 6 clash at Gloucester.

With Munster head coach Rob Penney yesterday expressing confidence that Ireland and Lions scrum-half Murray could be involved after a month out with a knee injury, there was additional good news when Test wing Zebo was declared to be in contention for his first start in 12 weeks. Both the Lions tourists will resume training at the University of Limerick today, making them contenders for the difficult trip to a near sold-out Kingsholm and alleviating to some extent concerns about an injury crisis across the squad.

While Murray had suffered medial ligament damage in his right knee during the home win over Perpignan last month, Zebo has been out with a cracked bone in his left foot sustained in the European opener at Edinburgh. He was initially targeted for a return last weekend in the league clash against Ulster at Ravenhill but appears to have benefited from an extra few days’ rehab, meaning only Donnacha Ryan as well as longer-term casualties Mike Sherry, Luke O’Dea and Niall Ronan appear to be ruled out.