More injury woe for Munster as John Hodnett out for 8-10 weeks and Simon Zebo awaits news on knee issue
Munster's John Hodnett is facing up to ten weeks on the sidelines
Munster flanker John Hodnett is in a race to be fit for the province’s Champions Cup last 16 match against Northampton Saints in April after being ruled out for 8-10 weeks due to a finger injury.
The in-form openside had been unlucky to miss out on Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad, but now he faces a spell on the sidelines and will miss Saturday’s marquee fixture against the Crusaders in Cork.
SImon Zebo could join him in missing a protracted spell after being sent for an MRI scan on the knee injury he suffered against Northampton in the last round of European games.
Zebo’s absence will be cushioned by the return to fitness of Mike Haley who has yet to play this season, but Graham Rowntree has a shortage of available scrum-halves with Conor Murray and Craig Casey in Ireland camp and Paddy Patterson ruled out for the season.
Neil Cronin has extended his short-term deal by two months to act as cover, while UCC scrum-half Andrew O’Mahony (20) has joined on a two-month contract.
Tom Ahern may yet feature against the Crusaders if he passes the concussion protocols having missed out on a chance to train with Ireland this week, while Cian Hurley is nearing a return but won’t play against the Super Rugby giants at Páirc Ui Chaoimh.
Jack O’Donoghue (knee), Dave Kilcoyne (shoulder), Diarmuid Barron (foot), Jean Kleyn (eye/knee), Liam Coombes (shoulder), RG Snyman (chest/shoulder) and Roman Salanoa (knee) all remain out with long-term issues.
