JACK O’DONOGHUE HAS returned to training with Munster following a long-term absence.
The southern province expect O’Donoghue to be back on the pitch “in the coming weeks”, which will bolster Johann van Graan’s back-row options.
The 25-year-old had been in good form when he suffered a knee ligament injury in last May’s Guinness Pro14 semi-final defeat to Leinster.
JJ Hanrahan, who has been sidelined with a hip injury recently, has also returned to training, but Sammy Arnold will be unavailable “over the next few weeks” due to a hairline fracture of his fibula.
Munster hope to be in a position to select some of their international contingent for Friday night’s meeting with Southern Kings in Cork.
Andrew Conway is back in full training with the province after suffering from some tightness in his calf while on Ireland duty.
CJ Stander, who is rehabbing the facial injury he sustained in Ireland’s defeat to England, is expected to be out of action for several more weeks.
Tadhg Beirne is recovering from a knee problem, with Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt hoping to have him available for the game against Italy on Sunday week.
Having undergone surgery on an AC-joint injury last week, Tommy O’Donnell has commenced his rehabilitation programme with Munster’s medical department.
Brian Scott (foot), James Cronin (leg) and Dave O’Callaghan (foot) are continuing to rehabilitate their respective injuries.
Subscribe to our new podcast, The42 Rugby Weekly, here:
