MUNSTER PROP JAMES Cronin faces another spell on the sidelines after it was confirmed he tore his calf muscle playing for the Barbarians at Thomond Park on Friday night.
The 26-year-old limped off just 10 minutes into the Baa-Baas’ clash with Tonga last week and Munster have today said Cronin has started a rehabilitation programme for the injury.
With no details over the severity of the injury disclosed, it is not yet known how long Cronin faces out of action with the return timeline ranging from two weeks to four month depending on the grade of the tear.
Either way, it is a desperately cruel setback for the three-time capped Ireland international who had only just returned after a knee injury which kept him on the sidelines since August.
Cronin made his first appearance of the season against Ospreys in October but suffered a relapse and was ruled out for another six weeks before featuring against Dragons in the final Pro14 fixture before the November internationals.
Speaking ahead of the Baa-Baas game last Friday, Cronin had said he was excited to get back to full fitness.
“The latest injury was the knee, a cartilage that I had complications with. I was out for six weeks then picked up another knee injury in my first week back,” he said last week.
“You name it, I’ve had the bad luck with the injuries but there’s a more positive outlook now.”
John Ryan, meanwhile, has returned from Ireland duty for rehab on a calf issue and Keith Earls (hamstring) and Tommy O’Donnell (shoulder) are now both back with the province.
Jack O’Donoghue is progressing well having sustained a minor ankle injury in Munster’s last outing against Dragons.
Gerbrandt Grobler (ankle), Conor Oliver (shoulder), Dan Goggin (knee), Ronan O’Mahony (fibula), Dave O’Callaghan (knee), Jaco Taute (knee), Niall Scannell (thumb) are continuing their respective rehab programmes.
New head coach Johann van Graan will arrive in Limerick next Monday to begin preparations for his first game in charge, which will be the province’s Pro14 trip to Zebre on 26 November.
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He’s not as disappointed as some on relation to how far off they are? They are miles off. No offence to Munster but they are an average,though very gutsy and committed side,and they have hammers Leinster twice in a row now. I do agree that they haven’t had any continuity with combinations,especially from 9-13,and hopefully when the likes of OBrien, Healy, Moore, Teo, McFadden etc come back then there will be a big improvement.
I must take the opportunity to praise Matt O’Connor for the huge improvement in Guinness Pro12 teams. Ever since he arrived at Leinster, every other team has greatly improved. Teams, that two years ago were almost brushed aside by Leinster, have now reached the heights that Leinster once inhabited alone.
Treviso have improved, Munster have improved, Edinburgh have improved, Scarlets have improved, Dragons have improved, Zebra have improved, Connacht (brilliant tonight, by the way) have improved..
In fact, they have all improved so much that Leinster has great difficulty taking on any of them.
By extension, Wasps and Harlequins have shown just how brilliant they are too due to you Matt.
I can hardly wait to see how much Castres get better when they arrive at the RDS soon. They will build statues in your image all over the town.
Matt, you have done European rugby a great service. They have all reached and surpassed Leinster this season thanks to your input at Leinster and everywhere else.
Thank you Matt and Happy New year!.
(and also to Mr Caputo, the news paper seller. Your influence on all other teams has been exceptional)