Jack Crowley ruled out until the new year in Munster blow

Munster and Ireland have been dealt a blow on the eve of the new season, with Jack Crowley expected to be sidelined until early 2027 as he recovers from a lower limb vascular injury.

The 26 year-old out-half will miss Ireland's Autumn Tests against Argentina, Fiji and South Africa, plus any Nations Championship play-off games.

It's a big loss for a side that leaned on him at out-half during the Guinness Six Nations.

Why Jack Crowley's absence hurts so much

He was already absent for the closing stages of Munster's URC campaign and Ireland's opening Nations Championship games.

The province has had a taste of life without him. Head coach Clayton McMillan says the priority is full recovery, not a rushed return.

"Jack Crowley is a very important player for Munster and Ireland with a big future in the game and ensuring he gets back to 100% is the priority," McMillan said.

Who steps into the number 10 jersey

McMillan pointed to a blend of experience and youth. "JJ has played 160 games for Munster and is our third-highest points-scorer of all-time so he is a player we know we can count on," he said of JJ Hanrahan.

Academy pair Tom Wood and Charlie O'Shea, who excelled with the Ireland U20s, are "very exciting young players".

He is not the only concern as new signing Will Harrison hurt his knee in pre-season, while Edwin Edogbo, Tom Farrell, Calvin Nash and Ruadhán Quinn are all working back from surgery.

The update came as Munster continued their pre-season camp in France ahead of Friday's game against La Rochelle.

A busy week for Irish players abroad, after Troy Parrott's La Liga debut for Real Betis and Ireland's hockey team guaranteed their best-ever World Cup finish, as reported by RTÉ Sport.