Munster's Donnacha Ryan is the latest doubt ahead of the November internationals after sustaining a knee injury in Saturday's victory over Gloucester. Felix Jones (ankle) and Denis Hurley (knee) will also miss Friday's Pro12 game in Glasgow.

Zane Kirchner should make his debut for Leinster against Connacht this Saturday and Lote Tuqiri could even return from a hamstring strain.

However, a timescale for Brian O'Driscoll (calf) and Mike Ross (hamstring) to return remains uncertain.

“The important thing is to get Brian on the pitch,” said Leinster manager Guy Easterby. “From Brian’s point of view, you can see his enthusiasm for that All Blacks game. It would be huge for him to be involved in that game. It’s one of the things left he hasn’t achieved in the sport, beating them.”

Easterby also confirmed that Richardt Strauss’ heart operation was a success.