The Irish provincial coaches will have to make do without some key players this weekend with a mounting injury list.
Pat Lam has been dealt a big blow with the news that John Muldoon is out for at least six weeks after tearing his calf during Connacht’s bonus point defeat at home to Saracens, while prop Nathan White is expected to be out of action for another two weeks.
In Leinster, Brian O’Driscoll’s chances of featuring against Castres appear to be fading quickly. The centre is still recovering from the calf strain that kept him out of the Ospreys game and Greg Feek has said he will not be rushed into a return.
“It's a long season ahead so we're just making sure the medical staff are doing their thing with Brian,” he told the press this morning.
Lote Tuqiri remains sidelined, but Mike Ross (hamstring) and Shane Jennings (hand) are fit to face the current French champions.
In Munster Rob Penney will have to do without Paddy Butler for two months after a thumb injury with captain Peter O’Mahony expected to slip into the team while there is still no confirmation on the extent of Simon Zebo’s injury picked up at Murrayfield. James Coughlan and Felix Jones have recovered from their respective knocks.
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