Stephen Larkham: Gavin Coombes unlikely to make either Exeter tie

Coombes,  Tadhg Beirne and Dave Kilcoyne have all been ruled out for this Saturday’s Round of 16 first-leg tie

Gavin Coombes in conversation with head coach Johann van Graan during Munster rugby squad training at University of Limerick in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Stephen Larkham has rated Gavin Coombes “unlikely” to be fit to face Exeter Chiefs in either of Munster’s upcoming Heineken Champions Cup two-legged clash with the 2020 winners.

Senior coach Larkham was on Tuesday unable to provide any certainty on return dates for Munster’s injured internationals with No.8 Coombes having limped out of last Saturday’s home United Rugby Championship loss to Leinster in the first half with an ankle injury.