Munster sweat on Casey and Varley ahead of Sale date

Munster are keeping their fingers crossed that a hooker crisis can be warded off over the next week and Duncan Casey and Damien Varley are available for the European Champions Cup clash away to Sale on Saturday week.

Casey had to go off with a rib injury during Saturday’s victory over Leinster while Varley suffered a recurrence of the foot injury that delayed his involvement in the opening matches of the season.

Skills and attack coach Ian Costello revealed yesterday that Casey has a chance of figuring against Scarlets in the Guinness Pro12 game at Thomond Park on Friday. However, Varley is ruled out and both players will be assessed over the coming days. This news comes on the back of Mike Sherry’s long-term absence.