Munster Rugby issue squad injury update ahead of sold-out Benetton clash

THE Munster Rugby squad is continuing with their preparations at the High Performance Centre at UL this week ahead of Friday’s crunch sold-out URC Round 18 clash against Benetton at Virgin Media Park, 8pm, live on TG4.

On the injury front, Munster report that both Diarmuid Barron (shoulder injury) and Oli Jager (head injury) are unavailable for selection this week.

Tom Ahern, Stephen Archer, John Hodnett, Conor Murray, Peter O’Mahony and Josh Wycherley returned to action in the bonus point win over Ulster at Thomond Park on Friday and came through the game with no issues.

READ MORE: PICTURES: Munster Rugby's departing trio sign off from Thomond Park in style

Liam Coombes also made a successful return to action in last week’s Munster ‘A’ clash against Connacht Eagles.

There is good news for Edwin Edogbo as he returns to training this week.

Friday night's game in Virgin Media Park will be watched by a capacity attendance of 8,800.

Munster currently occupy the eighth and final play-off spot in the URC table. The top eight finishers following this weekend's final round of regular season fixtures will qualify for the quarter-final play-offs in the URC as well as securing a spot in next season's Investec Champions Cup.

2023 URC winners Munster currently edge Cardiff for eight place on mere points difference. Both sides have 46 match points, the same number as seventh-placed Benetton who are the visitors to Virgin Media Park on Friday.

Five of the eight teams who will make up the Play-Offs - Leinster, Vodacom Bulls, Glasgow Warriors, Hollywoodbets Sharks and DHL Stormers - are already confirmed with the first four assured of home ties in the quarter-finals.

Five other teams remain in the hunt for the other three spots - Munster, Scarlets, Benetton, Cardiff, and Edinburgh.

Continuing to Rehab: Jeremy Loughman (hamstring), Ethan Coughlan (hamstring), Billy Burns (shoulder), Shane Daly (hamstring), Roman Salanoa (knee).