INJURED MUNSTER PROP Marcus Horan feels that he’s winning his race to be fit for Saturday’s Heineken Cup clash against Castres Olympique.
Horan was a late withdrawal from the squad with an ankle injury last weekend, allowing Cork Con youngster John Ryan to replace him on the bench for the dramatic 23-21 win over Northampton.
But the veteran is anxious to get back playing as soon as possible and the province’s medical staff have tentatively given him the green light to travel to France at the weekend.
Elsewhere, coach Tony McGahan has no fresh injury concerns though he is still missing a host of first-team names to long-term injury.
David Wallace, Jerry Flannery and Felix Jones all look unlikely to return to action this side of Christmas, but Keith Earls appears to be recovering well from a knee problem and could be ready for a return in as little as four weeks’ time.
Saturday’s game has been moved from Castres’ home ground, the Stade Pierre Antoine, to the bigger Stade Ernest-Wallon as the French side attempt to maximise their profits from Munster’s visit.