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Peter O'Mahony goes through stretching exercises at Munster training in UL today. James Crombie/INPHO
Injuries

Ryan a major doubt for Toulouse clash as Munster remain uncertain over O'Mahony

Rob Penney does not expect to be able to call on the second row, while Stephen Archer has been ruled out.

Updated 17.01

MUNSTER REMAIN UNCERTAIN over the fitness of captain Peter O’Mahony ahead of the Heineken Cup quarter final clash with Toulouse on Saturday afternoon at Thomond Park, while Donnacha Ryan is almost certain to miss the game.

O’Mahony carried a hamstring nerve injury through much of the Six Nations campaign with Ireland, and was a late withdrawal from his province’s Pro12 clash with Leinster last weekend.

Head coach Rob Penney says the province will make a decision on the blindside flanker’s involvement on Thursday.

Peter O’Mahony is on a managed workload at the start of the week, obviously after the late withdrawal from the match on Saturday. Hopefully, he’ll have no repercussions tomorrow. He trained, and trained well, today but not fully.

“Hopefully be the end of the week, he’s got no repercussions from today and he’ll be alright. I think it’ll make itself very clear by Thursday.”

Slim chance for Ryan

The Kiwi head coach did admit that Ryan’s chances of being involved against Toulouse are very slim as his foot problem continues, before giving better news on Damien Varley [also foot] and Keith Earls, who is working towards full fitness after his recent knee injury.

“Donnacha Ryan is probably very unlikely, but we’ll make a decision on that a little bit later in the week. Again, he’s on a rehab action plan and it’ll either be right or it won’t. We’ll know that quite quickly over the next couple of days.”

Varley is fine, he’s on a managed workload as well. Given the history of his foot injury that he suffered in Ulster a few months ago, we’re just managing him, so he should be fine to go.”

“Keith Earls is fine, again on a managed workload and he’s not had a lot of rugby. He played 80 minutes at the weekend and had high miles, high contacts; he had a great game. So again, we’re just managing his workload this week.”

Tighthead prop Stephen Archer will definitely miss the Toulouse clash, and has been ruled out for the next few weeks after sustaining a bulging disc in his neck.

John Ryan, who has completed the IRB return-to-play protocols after a concussion against Treviso, returned to training today and will be available for selection. The Cork man has predominantly played at tighthead this season, but also covers the loosehead position.

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