Munster positive on return of Oli Jager and Fineen Wycherley before end of season

Jager and Wycherley underwent surgery last week, but given both were deemed minor procedures, there is some optimism that they can play a role in the run-in.

“They’re short return to play rehab periods, basically, that they’re now currently in,” Munster forwards coach Andi Kyriacou said in Limerick this afternoon.

“They had surgery last week but it wasn’t major surgery, and I think it will mean they have relatively short return to play periods now, fingers crossed, all things going well.”

Pressed on whether tighthead Jager and lock Wycherley were facing months rather than weeks out, Kyriacou added: “Yeah, hopefully. Again, we’ll listen to the medics where that’s concerned.”

In better news, Kiwi centre Alex Nankivell could return in time for Saturday’s URC clash with Cardiff at Thomond Park, as he progresses through the return-to-play protocols.

“He’s tracking well with all of that. He’s got another thing to do on Thursday but he’s tracking well. Let’s see how he gets through Thursday and he might be in, he might not be, depending on how that goes. We’ll just listen to our medics as far as that’s concerned.”

Today's Sport News in 90 Seconds - 26th March

Meanwhile, Kyriacou revealed that Ireland U-20 star Brian Gleeson underwent surgery recently on an ankle issue.

“He had a bit of surgery on that ankle a few weeks back now but he’s out of his boot, he’s into his rehab programme and his return to play programme,” he added.

“I’m not quite sure of the return date, it’s one of them where you kind of listen to the ankle but he’s going well, he’s training well, we’ll see him when he’s ready.”

Munster’s Ireland front-liners are back in the mix, as head coach Graham Rowntree weighs up whether or not to press them into action this weekend or keep them on ice for next week’s Champions Cup round of 16 clash in Northampton.