Munster injury updates as they fly to South Africa to play Stormers and Sharks

Billy Burns (shoulder), Shane Daly (elbow) and Rory Scannell (ankle) to face end-of-week fitness tests

Munster have flown a 32-player squad to South Africa for the games against Stormers and Sharks on the next two weekends.

The Reds open with a URU Round Five clash against Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday and follow-up with a Round Six clash against Sharks in Durban on Saturday week.

The good news is Alex Nankivell, Tom Ahern and Ruadhán Quinn have shown no adverse effect following returning from injury last week while it is hoped Billy Burns (shoulder), Shane Daly (elbow) and Rory Scannell (ankle) will pass end-of-week fitness tests.

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Diarmuid Barron, who failed a HIA against Leinster, is following the return to play protocols. He has travelled with the squad but is unavailable for Saturday’s clash against Stormers.

Emerging Ireland captain Alex Kendellen, Ethan Coughlan, Evan O’Connell and Ben O’Connor stayed in South Africa on completion of the Emerging Ireland tour and met up with the squad in Cape Town.

There was further bad news though in confirmation Mark Donnelly has undergone ankle surgery following an injury sustained on the Emerging Ireland tour and will be unavailable for six to eight weeks.

Josh Wycherley had neck surgery last week and will be out for four months.

Elsewhere Paddy Patterson (knee), Diarmuid Kilgallen (leg), Brian Gleeson (shoulder), Thaakir Abrahams (thigh) and Liam Coombes (leg) are on track to be available for selection next month."

Munster Squad For SA Tour

Backs - Craig Casey, Ethan Coughlan, Conor Murray, Billy Burns, Jack Crowley, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Seán O'Brien, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly, Mike Haley, Calvin Nash, Ben O'Connor.

Forwards - Diarmuid Barron, Scott Buckley, Eoghan Clarke, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, Ronan Foxe, Jeremy Loughman, John Ryan, Kieran Ryan, Tom Ahern, Tadhg Beirne, Jean Kleyn, Evan O'Connell, Fineen Wycherley, Gavin Coombes, John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen, Jack O'Donoghue, Ruadhán Quinn.

Continuing to rehab: Dave Kilcoyne (ankle), Oli Jager (neck), Peter O’Mahony (hamstring), Patrick Campbell (shoulder), Cian Hurley (knee), Edwin Edogbo (Achilles), Roman Salanoa (knee)

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