Abrahams and Scannell added to list of Munster absentees for Argentina XV clash

Connacht’s Josh Murphy and Thaakir Abrahams of Munster. Pic: James Crombie/Inpho

Munster have added Thaakir Abrahams and Niall Scannell to the list of absentees for Saturday’s Thomond Park clash with an Argentina XV.

Head coach Clayton McMillan will have five players away on Ireland duty with Andy Farrell’s squad in Chicago while last Saturday's 17-15 URC victory at home to derby rivals Connacht has denied the unbeaten side both winger Abrahams and hooker Scannell.

Both sustained head injuries at Thomond Park as Munster stretched their winning start to the league campaign to five wins from five with Abrahams withdrawn on 16 minutes while Scannell came off the bench in the 55th for a comeback from a lacerated hand, only to be removed nine minutes later. 

Both players failed their Head Injury Assessments and have been ruled out of the selection mix to face the tourists but centre Alex Nankivell did pass his HIA having been replaced on 78 minutes.

Also cleared to play is wing Diarmuid Kilgallen, who marked his seasonal debut following an ankle injury with a first-half breakaway try having intercepted a Josh Ioane pass 60 metres out from Connacht's tryline. 

Kilgallen was reported on Tuesday to have come through the game with no reaction to his pre-season injury but there is a concern over another seasonal debutant, flanker John Hodnett. 

The openside was making a comeback from a facial injury but now needs a scan on a foot injury and his status for Saturday is currently unclear.

Assistant coach Mossy Lawler told the Irish Examiner that Munster would field their strongest possible team against the Argentina XV.

"Clayton is keen on giving a couple of lads who haven't had full minutes opportunities there. But that doesn't go away from any of the importance of this game and how exciting the game is, so we'll be putting our best team that we feel is the best on the pitch for Saturday," Lawler said. "And it's such an exciting opportunity for those guys who do get the chance to play against an international team in Thomond Park.

"It's a chance in a lifetime. It's not every day you get to represent Munster, but not only represent Munster, it's represent Munster against an international side and in a packed house in Thomond Park, it's really exciting for anybody who gets the opportunity to do it."

Lawler added the match against touring opposition also allowed Munster to narrow the gap between URC fixtures with the league now on hiatus for the November Test window.

"It's a great opportunity to keep working on the things that we're trying to improve on but not only that, the shackles are off in a way there's no points at stake so the boys can go out and really enjoy the occasion, those that are lucky to be selected, and I know the fans will be out in force and they get really excited about what's going to be produced on the pitch.

"So the players feel that the players all the players want to be involved in it, it's set up for a really good Saturday night."