Munster sweat fitness of three backline stars ahead of play-offs

Johann van Graan said Conor Murray could have played against Connacht on Saturday night but was withdrawn from Munster’s matchday squad as a precaution following a pre-game knock at Thomond Park.

Munster, playing with Neil Cronin at scrum-half and handing a senior debut to Ireland Under-20 number nine Craig Casey off the bench in the closing stages, beat their interprovincial rivals 27-14 in Limerick but could not unseat Glasgow Warriors from top spot in Guinness PRO14 Conference A and must face Benetton at home next Saturday in the play-off quarter-finals.