KEITH EARLS IS a major doubt for Munster’s Heineken Champions Cup clash with Gloucester at Thomond Park on Saturday.
The Ireland international wing pulled out of last weekend’s draw against Exeter at a late stage with a hamstring complaint.
Earls will undergo a scan on the injury today, with Munster boss Johann van Graan admitting that the Limerick man is a concern for the meeting with Gloucester.
“He’s actually going for a scan as we speak to look at the injury,” said van Graan this afternoon in Limerick. “Hopefully, we will know more later this afternoon or tomorrow. He’s a worry for us at the weekend.”
Centre Sammy Arnold, who came off the bench last weekend but was soon replaced after suffering a throat injury while tackling Exeter’s Ian Whitten, will also require further assessment.
He was observed overnight in hospital in Exeter but returned to Limerick today and is due to see a specialist to determine the extent of his injury. It is highly unlikely that he will feature against Gloucester.
Tighthead prop John Ryan is another worry, having suffered an ankle injury after coming off the bench in Exeter.
Munster say Ryan “will be assessed by the medical department and undergo treatment this week to determine availability for this weekend.”
Frontline scrum-half Conor Murray is unavailable again this weekend as he continues to be sidelined with a neck issue, while Kiwi scrum-half Alby Mathewson is also unlikely to feature.
Mathewson continues to rehabilitate a knee injury, meaning Duncan Williams and Neil Cronin are set to provide the scrum-half options for van Graan again this weekend.
Also still sidelined are Chris Farrell [knee], Ronan O’Mahony [ankle], Calvin Nash [ankle], James Hart [knee], Liam O’Connor [knee], and Conor Oliver [toe].
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