Tuesday 24 January 2017 13:49, UK
Munster have been dealt a blow with the news that loosehead prop James Cronin will miss six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery on a finger injury.
Cronin, who has been in excellent form for the Irish province this season, started Saturday's 22-10 over Racing 92 ahead of Dave Kilcoyne before being forced off with the injury.
It is a cruel blow for Cronin, who figured to be in the mix for Ireland's 40-man squad for the first two rounds of the RBS 6 Nations.
In his absence, Joe Schmidt selected Kilcoyne alongside Leinster pair Jack McGrath and Cian Healy.
The good news for Cronin is he is in line to return to action prior to Munster's Champions Cup quarter-final clash with Toulouse at Thomond Park on the weekend of March 31 to April 2.
There was further bad news for Munster on the injury front with second row Dave Foley sustaining a wrist problem playing for Munster A on Friday night, while Academy number 8 Gavin Coombes is also under medical review for a shoulder injury.
They join a Munster injury list that also includes Darren Sweetnam (knee), Robin Copeland (thumb), Sam Arnold (knee), Alex Wootton (shoulder), Sean McCarthy (knee), Mark Chisholm (concussion), Duncan Casey (knee), Mike Sherry (back), Cathal Sheridan (ankle).
