Munster duo 'tracking well' ahead of potential Edinburgh involvement

Munster’s Alex Nankivell. Pic: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

Munster are optimistic they will have Jeremy Loughman and Alex Nankivell back from injury for their return to URC action against Edinburgh in Cork this Friday.

Defence coach Denis Leamy on Tuesday said loosehead prop Loughman and midfield linchpin Nankivell were both “tracking well” following respective hip and hamstring issues but it was a day of mixed injury news for the province. 

In-form back-three player Shane Daly and tighthead prop Oli Jager are set to go for scans following an attritional Ireland A international against England in Bristol last Sunday.

Ian Costello’s side has climbed to fifth in the table with seven rounds to play before the end-of-season play-offs and face an Edinburgh side at Cork’s Virgin Media Park looking to join them in the top eight qualifying spots from ninth place, two points adrift of eighth and six points behind their hosts.

Munster look certain to be without Daly, who was playing full-back for Ireland A, and Jager, a second-half replacement.

Daly left Ashton Gate on crutches following a first-half hamstring injury while Jager came off the bench on 44 minutes and limped off with a foot issue 15 minutes later.

Both will be assessed this week to determine the course and length of treatment required but hooker Diarmuid Barron, has completed his Head Injury Assessment return to play protocols following his removal after just five minutes of the 28-12 Irish defeat.

Another to come through his HIA protocols, after a head knock sustained during Munster’s URC win at home to Scarlets last time out on February 15 is lock/flanker Tom Ahern while the province on Tuesday said back-rower Jack O’Donoghue will not require surgery on the ankle he injured in the same game.

The returns to full training of Ireland loosehead Loughman from a four-month absence and New Zealand Maori centre Nankivell, sidelined after sustaining his injury at Ulster in December, are good news for Munster and Leamy said: “The boys are tracking well. They’re both back training, showing some good stuff in training and it's just to see how they progress over the next couple of days and how they respond to the heavy load and we'll make a decision on them later in the week.” 

Munster go into Friday night’s game having registered back-to-back wins and Leamy added: “I think we're tracking nicely. We’ve won four of the last five games in the URC. 

There's a brilliant buzz within our environment, the group are very tight, very united, a great vibe to the last couple of weeks and we're looking forward to the remainder of the season.

“Very much looking forward to this Friday night and the challenge that Edinburgh present. So yeah, we're definitely in a good place and we're onwards and upwards.”