Munster awaiting scan results on O'Donoghue and O'Mahony

Hooker Diarmuid Barron will be available for selection this Saturday. 

AWAITING SCAN RESULTS: Munster are awaiting scan results on injuries to Jack O’Donoghue and captain Peter O’Mahony. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

Munster will have hooker Diarmuid Barron available for selection for this Saturday’s URC visit to derby rivals Leinster but the province are awaiting scan results on injuries to Jack O’Donoghue and captain Peter O’Mahony.

O’Mahony sustained a shoulder injury in the first half of last Saturday’s 10-3 win over the Stormers with O’Donoghue, his replacement, playing out the second half having injured an ankle following his introduction.

Head coach Graham Rowntree expressed doubt in his post-match press conference at Thomond Park that either back-rower would be available for this Saturday’s Aviva Stadium clash but he will have been buoyed by the availability of Barron.

Munster signed former academy hooker Eoghan Clarke on a short-term contract last week with both Barron and Niall Scannell (groin) absent from the Stormers game. Barron had failed a Head Injury Assessment in the previous week’s round-four loss at Ulster with Scott Buckley starting last Saturday and rookie Chris Moore named on the bench.

Buckley played the full 80 at Thomond Park with Moore made to wait for his senior debut following a move from Exter University in the summer of 2022 and Barron’s successful progression though his return to play protocols suggests an instant return to the starting line-up this weekend.

Munster were also due to welcome back World Cup-winning South African lock Jean Kleyn on Monday although his readiness for an instant return to action, four weeks on from the Springboks’ final victory over New Zealand, remains to be established.

Fellow Springbok lock RG Snyman (chest/shoulder) is one of eight senior Munster players definitely ruled out of the trip to Dublin alongside back-three player Pa Campbell, fly-half Joey Carbery (wrist), wing Liam Coombes, full-back Mike Haley (hip), lock Cian Hurley (ankle/Achilles), tighthead prop Roman Salanoa (knee) and Niall Scannell (groin).