KEITH EARLS COULD be in contention to feature for Munster in their URC derby with Leinster at Thomond Park on Saturday.
The 34-year-old returned to full training this week after recovering from the thigh injury that ruled him out of Ireland’s recent Six Nations campaign.
Munster confirmed that Earls, along with Thomas Ahern (thigh) and Roman Salanoa (ankle), were back training after finishing their respective rehabilitation programmes.
While the availability of Tadhg Beirne, Jean Kleyn, Simon Zebo and Mike Haley is still to be determined later this week, Munster welcomed back their Ireland contingent to strengthen their hand when Leinster come to town.
Tadhg Beirne, Joey Carbery, Andrew Conway, Dave Kilcoyne, Conor Murray and Peter O’Mahony have all rejoined the squad, with Greencore Munster Rugby Academy trio Tony Butler, Patrick Campbell and Ethan Coughlan also back in the fold after helping the Ireland U20s to a Grand Slam title.
Of those nursing injuries, Beirne sustained a low-grade thigh injury versus Scotland and is rehabilitating with the province’s medical department.
Kleyn was removed as a precaution before the Benetton match on Friday with a leg strain and underwent a scan today.
Zebo required a HIA in the same game and will undergo the return to play protocols this week.
This week on the Front Row – The42’s new rugby podcast in partnership with Guinness – panellist Eimear Considine makes a welcome return… and she’s brought her Ireland roommate, Hannah O’Connor, along too. They chat about broken noses, tanning routines, initiation songs and balancing the Women’s Six Nations with teaching, plus how one fan named her child after Ireland winger Beibhinn Parsons! Click here to subscribe or listen below:
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