Foot injury may end Ryan’s season
Ryan had been making progress in the build-up to Sunday’s Heineken Cup semi-final against Toulon and was, at one stage, in the mix for selection.
Sadly, the experienced forward had a setback and Munster coach Rob Penney is worried Ryan may not be available for any of the remaining games, certainly not for Saturday’s crucial Pro12 clash with Edinburgh at Meggetland.
With Munster now in third in the Pro12, they could do with all their troops on board and Ryan’s continuous problems means he has been unable to train properly in the last number of days.
Penney admitted yesterday it wasn’t looking good for the experienced Irish international, whose importance to Munster as either a second row or back rower cannot be underestimated since all efforts have to be thrown into one remaining competition.
“He (Ryan) has taken a couple of steps backwards to try and get himself right,” said Penney.
So will Ryan figure before the end of the season?
“I don’t know, it’s just one of those injuries where we don’t know,” admitted Penney.
“It’s a pretty unique injury and we’re being guided by the specialist’s report. He’s dealing with it (pain) and that fluctuates, so it’s not easy.”
On the plus side for Munster, as they contemplate taking on Edinburgh again, there are no added injury worries from the heart-breaking Heineken Cup semi-final loss to champions Toulon in Marseille on Sunday.
JJ Hanrahan made what Penney described in midweek as a miraculous recovery from a groin tear to enter the fray in the closing minutes.
The coach said Hanrahan’s ability to come through without any further problems was a plus, as Munster prepare for Edinburgh and then Ulster in their bid to secure at least a place in the RaboDirect Pro12 semi-finals, with the possibility of a home draw.
“It was a bit miraculous, JJ came in and got through it fine. Yeah, fantastic for the fella.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
