IRISH LOCK DONNACHA Ryan is doubtful for Munster’s trip to Belfast this weekend, having picked up a knee injury in the 24-7 loss to Leinster.
The 32-year is due to go for a scan today to assess the damage, with Joe Schmidt and Munster coach Anthony Foley anxiously awaiting the outcome.
But loosehead prop James Cronin, who limped off in the opening half against Leinster, is out of the trip to Ulster with an ankle injury as Munster bid to prevent a record sixth defeat in a row.
And Conor Murray, who missed the loss to Leinster, is again doubtful with a troublesome hip pointer injury.
“Conor Murray is progressing, we need to see where he is tomorrow, while there are a few with dead legs but that’s all from a hefty challenge at the weekend,” said Foley.
“Donnacha Ryan got through the game and had a dead leg but now we are just getting a scan on his knee as he did some damage to that,” added Foley.
Foley said that Keith Earls will be monitored during the week but had got the all-clear from an x-ray on a the neck injury which forced him to be stretchered off in the opening half against Leinster.
A number of players did not train today at UL with BJ Botha suffering from flu, while Dave Foley and Jack O’Donoghue had dead legs, but it’s expected all three will be in contention for Saturday’s game.
The same applies to full-back Andrew Conway (bruised hip) and Francis Saili (bruised ankle), with Foley under no illusions about the task facing them against an Ulster side on a roll with four wins in succession.
“It’s a massive derby game, it’s very frustrating at the moment, not alone for us and the players but also for the supporters. It’s a hard place to be but we are sticking together and we are going to fight through.
“We want to try get some momentum back into the season and it’s important we don’t feel sorry for ourselves and we get up and get going and try to get a result up in Ulster. But we have to go out and have a go at it,” added Foley.
