Munster suffer Jack Crowley blow ahead of trip to South Africa

Ireland international Jack Crowley will miss Saturday’s URC quarter-final against Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria due to an ongoing neural leg issue.

Crowley, who has scored 100 points in 12 appearances for the province this season, had been expected to be available for  the knockout rounds, after missing the last three matches of the regular season. However, Munster’s latest medical bulletin says he is still unavailable for selection.

The Munster squad that departs for South Africa on Tuesday is missing several key members through injury, with the likes of captain Tadhg Beirne and fellow locks Edwin Edogbo and Jean Kleyn, tight-head prop Oli Jager, loose-head Michael Milne, centre Tom Farrell and wing Calvin Nash also sidelined.

JJ Hanrahan, 33, will continue to deputise at 10 in Crowley’s absence, with Saturday’s game set to be his 17th of the season in red.

On a positive note, head coach Clayton McMillan can call upon lock Fineen Wycherley and centre Alex Nankivell, who have both returned to training after missing the 24-17 home win over the Lions last time out.

The Bulls beat Munster 34-31 when the teams met at Loftus Versfeld at the end of March.