Murray doubt casts cloud over build-up

It may have been a good news day overall for Munster boss Rassie Erasmus ahead of Saturday’s European semi-final with Saracens but Conor Murray’s shoulder injury continues to provide a dark cloud over preparations.

Munster are hopeful that inspirational back rower CJ Stander and fellow frontliner Rory Scannell will be fit to face the Champions Cup titleholders at the Aviva Stadium this weekend while wing Darren Sweetnam is progressing through his return to play protocols having failed a Head Injury Assessment in the first minute of the province’s Guinness Pro12 win over Ulster in Limerick last Saturday.

Yet scrum-half Murray remains unlikely to face the English powerhouse in Dublin on Saturday afternoon as he continues his slow recuperation from a stinger injury to his left shoulder suffered during Ireland’s Six Nations loss to Wales in Cardiff on March 10.