Munster concern over injuries following huge Champions Cup win

at Thomond Park Munster and Ireland secondrow Dave Foley headed for Carton House and the Irish squad training this week nursing a damaged wrist sustained in Munster's 65-10 win over Sale Sharks at Thomond Park.

Munster coach Anthony Foley explained: "He [Dave Foley] has a wrist problem. We need to get it further assessed. It was seriously disrupting his game in the first half so need to have a look at that, I'm sure. He'll be on the way up to Carton House tonight to meet up with the Irish squad so I'm sure that will be assessed."

It was not the only injury arising from the match. Centre Denis Hurley was helped off 21 minutes after suffering damage to a shoulder while Keith Earls was withdrawn on 43 minutes shortly after running 60 metres for the opening try of the second half. Earls had spent the interval on an exercise bike in a bid to keep his groin warm but was withdraw as a precaution when it tightened up.

Anthony Foley was also asked about Ireland scrumhalf Conor Murray, who has missed the province's last two games with a disc problem in his neck. "He still wasn't cleared medically. They rescanned it and still weren't happy so we can't risk that."

When asked whether he thought Murray might be a doubt for Ireland's opening Six Nations match against Italy in Rome on Saturday week, Foley admitted: "It's hard to say because you are dealing with neurologists. They're the best in the business in the country. I'll leave that to the medical people."

Medical issues

On the subject of medical issues, New Zealander

Tyler Bleyendaal

landed in Ireland on Saturday and took in the victory over Sale. He is currently recovering from neck surgery.

“Obviously we want to assess where he is at and make sure that we get him on the right road to hopefully being involved for some games with us,” said Foley.

Bleyendaal will travel with Munster for La Santa in Lanzarote on Saturday for a five-day training camp. One player who won’t be there is centre Pat Howard, who returns to South Africa as his short-term contract with the province has come to a conclusion. He signed off with a try.