JJ Hanrahan set to miss Cardiff clash as he enters return to play protocols 

TEAM UPDATE: JJ Hanrahan is set to miss Munster’s opening home game of the URC season this Saturday after failing a Head Injury Assessment in the round-one victory at Scarlets. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

JJ Hanrahan is set to miss Munster’s opening home game of the URC season this Saturday after failing a Head Injury Assessment in the round-one victory at Scarlets.

Hooker Niall Scannell has been cleared to face Cardiff at Thomond Park having passed his HIA in the 34-21 bonus-point win in West Wales after making his 200th Munster appearance last Saturday. While Scannell has been able to return to training fly-half Hanrahan must enter the return to play protocols having been withdrawn at half-time after making his third debut for the province following a summer move from Connacht.

Ireland playmaker Jack Crowley replaced Hanrahan in Llanelli, kicking three second-half conversions and seems likely to start against Cardiff in new head coach Clayton McMillan’s first competitive home game since his arrival for pre-season.

Munster reported no further fitness issues following their return from Wales but there are updates expected later in the week on the six players who missed the trip due to what the province last week described as short- to medium-term injuries – centre Tom Farrell (calf), flanker John Hodnett (cheek), wing Diarmuid Kilgallen (ankle), props Michael Milne (calf) and John Ryan (elbow), and wing Andrew Smith (chest).

Saturday’s round-two clash in Limerick is the only URC fixture this weekend featuring two unbeaten sides with Cardiff having also secured a 33-20 bonus-point win at home to the Lions at the Arms Park last Saturday.