Munster Rugby issues squad injury update ahead of crunch Connacht URC clash

Dave Kilcoyne, of Munster, leaves the pitch with an injury during the St Stephen's Day defeat to Leinster at Thomond Park | PICTURE: Dave Kilcoyne

placeholder image — Dave Kilcoyne, of Munster, leaves the pitch with an injury during the St Stephen's Day defeat to Leinster at Thomond Park | PICTURE: Dave Kilcoyne

THE Munster Rugby squad started preparations at their High Performance Centre at UL on Thursday, December 28, ahead of their New Year’s Day clash against Connacht at The Sportsground in Galway, 3pm, live TG4, Premier Sport.

On the injury front, following the disappointing St Stephen's Day defeat to Leinster at Thomond Park, Munster report that Academy lock Edwin Edogbo was removed with an achilles tendon injury and will go for surgical review next week.

Limerick prop Dave Kilcoyne suffered a shoulder injury in the 9-3 defeat to Leinster in the sell-out fixture and will go for a scan and surgical opinion today.

Meanwhile, hooker Diarmuid Barron will go for a scan on his foot injury and have surgical opinion next week.

The province also reports that centre Alex Nankivell will go for a scan on an ankle injury sustained during the match.

Fineen Wycherley (shoulder) will increase his training exposure this week and his availability will be determined ahead of the game.

In player news, Tadhg Beirne and Conor Murray both return to training this week and are available for selection.

The Munster team to face Connacht will be named at 12pm on Saturday, December 30.

Continuing to rehab: 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).