The news out of the Munster camp today is even worse than feared, with a handful more injuries added to their already extensive list.
Most had accepted that Edwin Edogbo would require surgery after seeing him carted off with an achilles injury during their St. Stephen's Day loss to Leinster, but the news that Dave Kilcoyne and Diarmuid Barron may also require surgery is massive body blow to their resources, while the in-form Alex Nankivell will also require a scan.
The Injury List At Munster Is Horrendous
This adds to the already long list of first choice absentees:
Patrick Campbell (shoulder), Peter O’Mahony (shoulder), Jean Kleyn (eye), Jack Daly (ankle), Liam Coombes (shoulder), Niall Scannell (groin), RG Snyman (chest/shoulder), Joey Carbery (wrist), Roman Salanoa (knee), Mike Haley (hip), Cian Hurley (ankle/achilles).
"Dave Kilcoyne, shoulder," Graham Rowntree said after the Leinster defeat.
"Diarmuid Barron got a foot injury, Alex Nankivell as well. It’s quite a lengthy list there.
"We are already thin on the deck. We are thin squad wise, availability wise. We will see what we can muster up on Thursday, see what the injury report presents itself because we have got another big game at the Sportsground. We drive on."
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26 December 2023; Edwin Edogbo of Munster leaves the pitch on a medical cart during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Much has been said about the amount of second row injuries Munster currently have, and the head coach was asked about the potential of acquiring a medical joker, similar to last season's signing of Kiran McDonald.
“Potentially,” Rowntree said.
"Yeah, we’ll have a look at that. Gav’s moved into the second row from the back row before, a huge work-rate doing that. We’ll have a look at that.
“I’m not going to start stressing about that yet, that will be tomorrow’s job. Tonight I need to calm down, watch the game again, see what we can get better at with what we’ve got.”
However, with Tadhg Beirne expected to be back for selection this week, Fineen Wycherley potentially available, and Gavin Coombes' impressive showings at second row, the province should be able to manage.
The seriousness of Munster's injury woes becomes a lot clearer when looked at in the context of the Champions Cup.
Munster have struggled in Europe's premier competition over the past two seasons, and are already under the cosh this year after a draw and a loss in their opening two matches.
While they can still field a competitive side, the loss in power due to the unavailability of RG Snyman, Jean Kleyn, Edogbo, Peter O'Mahony, and Diarmuid Barron, will make it an uphill task to reach the quarter-finals.
They still have Toulon and Northampton to face in the group stages, and should they scrape through to the last-16, they will be faced with a double header against a top side.
