Munster Rugby issue squad injury update ahead of Gloucester pre-season fixture

MUNSTER Rugby has issued a squad injury update ahead of this Friday night's pre-season fixture against Gloucester at Virgin Media Park, 7pm.

Munster report good news for Tom Ahern (ankle), Jean Kleyn (knee/eye) and Paddy Patterson (knee) as they are all in the final stages of their rehabilitation and due to make a return to training in the coming weeks.

Limerick prop Dave Kilcoyne is rehabilitating from a short-term ankle injury.

Back-row Brian Gleeson had a minor procedure on his shoulder last month and will be out for six to eight weeks.

Cian Hurley has undergone surgery on a knee injury and will be unavailable for the coming months.

Roman Salanoa (knee), Edwin Edogbo (Achilles), Rory Scannell (ankle) are all continuing to rehab.

Munster's first pre-season game of 2024/25 took place on Saturday as 30 players featured in a narrow 21-24 defeat to the Johann van Graan-coached Bath side at The Rec.

Eight players made their first Munster appearances in the game.

On the injury front, scrum-half Ethan Coughlan was removed with a thigh injury on Saturday and was due to undergo a scan this week.

Academy back-row forward Ruadhán Quinn was removed with a thigh contusion and will be monitored this week.

In player news, Scott Buckley returned from his short-term loan with Australian side Randwick last week and featured against Bath at the weekend.

Munster open their United Rugby Championship campaign with a home interprovincial fixture against Connacht at Thomond Park on Saturday, September 21, 5.30pm.