Munster captain Peter O'Mahony is expected to undergo surgery on his damaged left shoulder tomorrow.
The problem originated during the Six Nations Championship but was exacerbated last Saturday during the Irish province's 47-23 victory over Toulouse at Thomond Park when, in pilfering a lineout throw, he wrenched the shoulder.
Despite continuing he was eventually replaced by CJ Stander after 19 minutes. The Ireland flanker underwent a scan yesterday, the results of which were examined by a specialist in Dublin and a decision has been taken to operate.
The extent of the problem hasn't yet been clarified but he seems certain to miss Munster's Heineken Cup semi-final against Toulon in Marseilles on Sunday, April 27th and it must be doubtful whether he will play again this season and that includes Ireland's summer tour to Argentina.
It's very tough on O'Mahony, who was in superb form for the national side as they won the Six Nations, but he's had plenty of rugby since touring North America with Ireland last summer.
Meanwhile, Fergus McFadden picked up a medial knee strain during Sunday's defeat to Toulon, and while not as bad as initially feared, he will be out for several weeks, writes Gavin Cummiskey .
Leinster expect the 27-year-old winger cum centre to feature in the latter stages of the Pro 12.
McFadden already missed a large chunk of this season with a broken bone in his hand.
Matt O’Connor said today that Brian O’Driscoll’s body is expected to hold up for the remainder of the season – “He’s good as gold” – while Luke Fitzgerald comes back into the reckoning for Friday’s trip to face the Ospreys at Liberty Stadium.
