Leinster’s Jack Conan requires further assessment for a shoulder injury sustained against Clermont, RugbyPass reported October 19, leaving the province managing another concern before facing Munster.
The No. 8’s setback follows Leinster’s 48-23 Champions Cup victory in France. Captain Caelan Doris is already sidelined with foot and knee problems.
Leinster’s update did not provide a recovery timetable for Conan. The immediate news is the need for assessment, rather than a confirmed length of absence.
Conan was injured while scoring a second-half try on October 17. His score helped Leinster pull clear after trailing Clermont 16-15 at halftime.
The visitors scored 33 points after the interval to secure a bonus-point victory, but the injury complicated an otherwise successful start to their European campaign.
With Doris unavailable, the latest setback affects another experienced option at the back of the scrum. Conan’s status also matters to Ireland ahead of November’s internationals.
The selection implications also reach Ireland, with Andy Farrell due to name his squad for November’s Nations Championship matches later this week, RTÉ reported.
Leinster’s concerns extend beyond the back row. Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park remains uncertain for the Munster match while recovering from a groin injury, RTÉ Sport reported.
The 34-year-old has missed the province’s first four games this season. Assistant coach Tyler Bleyendaal said he was involved in light training on Monday.
Gibson-Park also did some work last week, but Bleyendaal stressed that he was not yet training fully. A decision would depend on his progress later this week.
That distinction leaves his return unresolved: being back on the training field does not, by itself, confirm that he is available for the derby.
Jordan Larmour is another player being monitored after a calf problem. Bleyendaal welcomed his attacking ability while describing a process of reintegrating him before a season debut.
The wider squad bulletin also listed a hand injury for Hugh Cooney and a head injury for Andrew Osborne following the A team’s game against Edinburgh.
There were no further updates on Harry Byrne, Jack Boyle, RG Snyman, Paddy McCarthy or Diarmaid Mangan, in addition to Doris, according to RugbyPass.
Munster brings a separate challenge for Leinster’s available players. Bleyendaal told RTÉ he had been impressed by the visitors’ physicality, confidence and blend of younger players.
He emphasized preparation for the contact battle and emotional intensity of the rivalry. Munster won the corresponding Croke Park meeting 31-14 just over a year ago.
