by Brendan Cole
Influential forward James Coughlan has been ruled out of Munster’s crucial RaboDirect Pro12 clash with Glasgow Warriors, and there are also concerns about the fitness of centre Keith Earls.
Coughlan suffered a fractured bone in his left hand during Sunday’s shock Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat to Ulster. The number eight will see a specialist later this week but has already been ruled out of the upcoming Saturday night Musgrave Park clash (Live on RTÉ Two from 7pm).
Ireland international centre Earls, who was noticeably limping after a heavy collision with Paddy Wallace and Chris Henry during the second half of the 22-16 defeat, could also miss the Glasgow fixture after picking up a leg injury. He will undergo further medical examination later today.
Having been dumped out of the Heineken Cup by Ulster on Sunday afternoon, Munster need to finish strongly in the League to be sure of claiming the play-off place which would allow them to defend their League crown in the knockout stages.
They are level on points with Glasgow and just one ahead of Ulster, who will play Connacht this weekend in a match they will be expected to win even though it takes place at The Sportsground.
Munster face a tough concluding run of fixtures comprising this weekend’s clash with Glasgow, a trip to Llanelli in the penultimate round and a final round Thomond Park re-match against Ulster on 5 May that could well take place with RaboDirect Pro12 play-off qualification on the line.
After facing Connacht, Ulster are due to play runaway leaders Leinster in the second-last round (Friday 20 April, live on RTÉ Two 7pm).
