Munster look set to welcome Ireland internationals Jack Crowley, Craig Casey and Jeremy Loughman back this weekend for their URC clash against the Bulls, while Leinster will have Andrew Porter back available.
The Munster trio were initially rested for the province’s meeting with the Sharks last weekend following their return from Six Nations duty, but will form part of the wider 31-man training squad in South Africa ahead of their clash with the Bulls, while Porter is in line to make his return from a calf injury that ruled him out of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign.
Munster draft in Ireland internationals for Bulls clash
Alongside the aforementioned trio, head coach Clayton McMillan will have his strongest possible squad to pick from this weekend, with Munster suffering no fresh injuries.
They will, however, still be without Tadhg Beirne, who remains at home following his Six Nations duty with Ireland.
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Munster come into the game sixth in the URC table, but are just four points above the Pretoria-based outfit, and a loss could see Johann Ackermann’s men leapfrog them in the table.
Leinster set for Andrew Porter return amid fresh injury update on key trio
Loosehead prop Porter looks set to take to the field for the first time since early January this weekend, with Leinster confirming he is available for their upcoming URC clash against the Scarlets. Versatile back-five forward, Ryan Baird, is nearing a return to action as well, with him back in full training this week as well. He is not in contention for Friday night’s game, however.
But, Leo Cullen will be sweating over the fitness of lock duo James Ryan and RG Snyman, who have been sent for further assessments on their respective knocks. Ryan has been out of action since Ireland’s victory over Wales in round four of the Six Nations, while Snyman seemed to pick up an issue during the second-half of their defeat to Glasgow last time out.
Elsewhere, Jack Boyle, Hugh Cooney, Jordan Larmour, James Lowe, Diarmuid Mangan and Paddy McCarthy remain on the sidelines, with no further updates issued on their fitness.
