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Murray, Snyman and Fekitoa to miss URC semi-final against Leinster

By Ian Cameron
(Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Munster will face arguably European club rugby's toughest test - Leinster at home in the URC semi-final  - without Conor Murray, Malakai Fekitoa and RG Snyman.

The team has begun preparations following a hard-fought victory over Glasgow Warriors in Scotstoun but the win came at a heavy cost.

A medical update from the province confirms that Murray, Fekitoa, Snyman, and winger Calvin Nash were all removed for Head Injury Assessments (HIAs) and that the players are now following return-to-play protocols and will be unavailable for selection this weekend.

There are also doubts over a number of other first-liners. Peter O’Mahony will undergo a scan on his elbow, and Diarmuid Barron's shoulder injury will be reviewed as the week progresses to determine their availability for the game.

While Munster will miss the services of Murray, Fekitoa, Nash, and Snyman, to lose O'Mahony too would come as a major blow to Munster's chances of shocking their old rivals and making it to the URC final.

There was good news elsewhere however; Tadhg Beirne played the full 80 minutes in Glasgow following his return from an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, on the club front, three Greencore Munster Rugby Academy players featured in the AIL over the weekend. Ethan Coughlan and Darragh McSweeney helped Shannon secure their Division 1A status for next season in their promotion/relegation playoff against Highfield, while Evan O’Connell played a key role in UL Bohemian's win over Dungannon to retain their place in Division 2A.