Ahead of Leinster’s clash with Munster on St. Stephen’s Day in the BKT United Rugby Championship, ‘Blues head coach Leo Cullen’s latest injury update includes some bad news for Carlow’s Ed Byrne.
Byrne’s cameo against Racing 92 earlier this month yielded a try but coming on as a second-half replacement in Leinster’s 57-0 nine-try demolition of Gloucester last Friday, the Carlow native has had a knee injury confirmed, ruling him out for up to 12 weeks.
As a result, he will miss Leinster’s festive ties against Munster (St. Stephen’s Day) and Connacht (New Year’s Day) along with the Heineken Cup fixtures against Racing 92 and Gloucester in the reverse pool games in January.
Thomas Clarkson also picked up an arm injury playing with DUFC and is set to miss up to eight weeks. It is hoped that Tadhg Furling will be available for selection against Munster as he shakes off an ankle injury while Will Connors is stepping up his rehab programme this week having been ruled out of action with a bicep injury.
There is better news for both Johnny Sexton and Jordan Larmour as both came through last week’s game with Gloucester unscathed.
Munster host Leinster on St. Stephen’s Day with kick off set for 7.35pm. You can watch the game live on TG4.