Munster Rugby without two key players for Bayonne Champions Cup clash

THE Munster Rugby squad is preparing at the High Performance Centre at UL this week ahead of Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup opener against Bayonne at Thomond Park, 5.30pm, live on RTE2 TV.

In a significant injury blow, Munster's South African World Cup winner Jean Kleyn will be unavailable until the New Year due to an eye injury suffered in the Leinster match. 

Kleyn attended for a specialist review last Tuesday and Wednesday and will have further follow-up before Christmas.

Munster also confirmed this Monday that flanker Peter O’Mahony (shoulder) is improving, but will remain unavailable for the Bayonne clash.

The province has revealed that Simon Zebo (knee) will continue to rehabilitate early this week.

There is good news for Patrick Campbell (ankle) as he has returned to team training.

Jack O’Donoghue (ankle) will also return to training this week.

The availability of Campbell, O’Donoghue and Zebo will be determined later in the week.

Jack Daly (ankle) and Liam Coombes (shoulder) both underwent surgery last week and will begin rehabilitation under the medical department.

Continuing to rehab: Jack Daly (ankle), Peter O’Mahony (shoulder), Liam Coombes (shoulder), RG Snyman (chest/shoulder), Joey Carbery (wrist), Roman Salanoa (knee), Mike Haley (hip), Cian Hurley (ankle/achilles), Niall Scannell (groin).

There were 11 Munster players in AIL action for their clubs at the weekend.