MUNSTER COACH ROB Penney has ruled tighthead prop BJ Botha out of Friday’s clash with Connacht in the RaboDirect Pro12.
The South African international picked up a knee injury in the victory over the Scarlets on Saturday, and did not train today. However, the injury isn’t believed to be serious at this point in time and Botha should be back in action soon.
Duncan Casey, Dave O’Callaghan and Tommy O’Donnell all “suffered from collisions” against the Scarlets, according to Munster, and sat out training too. The trio will continue to follow standard return to play protocols.
Paddy Butler returned to full training after a thumb injury, while Ian Keatley was also back in action having been rested last week. Damien Varley should return later in the week, but Niall Ronan is facing up to six months on the sidelines due to his knee injury.
Peter O’Mahony, Paul O’Connell, Dave Kilcoyne, Keith Earls, Conor Murray and Donnacha Ryan are away with the Ireland squad in Carton House this week, although the latter pair did not train today. Murray continued his rehab from the knee injury he sustained against Perpignan in the Heineken Cup, while Ryan is currently resting with a a swollen knee.
Meanwhile, Leinster coach Matt O’Connor issued a clean bill of health after last weekend’s loss in Edinburgh. The province trained in UCD this afternoon ahead of Saturday’s clash with Ulster at the RDS although, like Munster, they were missing a number of front-line players due to Ireland’s training camp.
O’Connor will name his team to take on Ulster on Friday at midday, with a number of players from the Irish set-up expected to feature.
