James Cronin returns to training to ease pressure on Munster front row

Cronin has not played since the European pool home win over Harlequins on December 13

James Cronin: Hasn't played since the Champions Cup clash with Harlequins last month. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie

Munster’s loosehead injury crisis looks over ahead of Saturday’s trip to Connacht after the province reported a return to training for James Cronin and a successful return from injury last weekend for Dave Kilcoyne.

Kilcoyne made his first appearance since August 22 last Saturday when he came off the bench in Munster’s defeat at Ulster. The Ireland prop had injured an ankle in the post-lockdown restart game against Leinster and both Kilcoyne and fly-half Ben Healy, who had missed three weeks with a shoulder problem, made successful returns in the 15-10 Guinness PRO14 loss at Kingspan Stadium.