Munster will be without star fly-half Jack Crowley for their upcoming United Rugby Championship (URC) play-off tie against the Bulls, in a major blow to head coach Clayton McMillan.
The Limerick-based side, who finished fifth in the table at the end of the regular season, will leave for South Africa tomorrow (Tuesday, May 26) to arrive in Pretoria on Wednesday afternoon.
They have yet to announce their wider squad, though, but Crowley has been confirmed as unavailable for selection.
Jack Crowley ruled out for Munster ahead of crucial URC play-off tie
The Ireland international has been out of action since Munster’s 45-15 win over Benetton back in April with a leg injury, seeing JJ Hanrahan starting at fly-half in his place.
Last week, Munster detailed that Crowley was upping his training load in an effort to be fit for both the game against the Lions and the subsequent play-offs; however, it seems he has not pulled through in time for their upcoming trip to Pretoria, with Munster confirming he is unavailable for selection.
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Fellow Ireland international Edwin Edogbo also remains a possible concern, too, with the club offering no further update on his fitness. The towering lock saw his training load increase last week, but was not included in their 23-man squad to face the Lions.
The same can be said for Tadhg Beirne, who remains under an injury cloud. The Ireland and British and Irish Lions Test star has not featured for Munster since their win over Ulster back in April.
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However, Munster do welcome Fineen Wycherley and Alex Nankivell back into the mix, after the pair both withdrew from the matchday squad last time out.
McMillan’s side ended the regular season in good form, winning three of their four outings to finish fifth-place in the table, but take on a Bulls side who also won four in a row to secure fourth spot.
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