MUNSTER BOSS MIGHT ALLOW IT TO PETER OUT..
JOHANN VAN GRAAN won’t risk Peter O’mahony if he’s not fully fit to face Leinster – despite insisting Munster’s only focus is winning to secure a home URC quarter-final.
With first seed status already secured, Leinster will play their second-string as they continue their Champions Cup final build-up but Munster need to go full tilt at the Aviva.
While guaranteed a play-off spot, the Reds could fall to sixth and out of the top seedings depending on results this weekend.
Two of their best backs, Damian de Allende and Simon Zebo, are definitely out for the derby clash with chest injuries.
“I’m not even going to put them in that position,” said van Graan. “They won’t recover in time.”
He is optimistic about Mike Haley’s chances, having come through his graduated return to play processes.
But Munster could do with a strong pack to set a foundation on Saturday and they have doubts over some key men.
O’mahony performed heroics for the Reds in their Champions Cup quarterfinal loss to Toulouse but came off with a ‘persistent stinger’.
He didn’t train on Monday and took a non-contact part in the session yesterday.
Van Graan will be guided by the province’s medics before making a final decision on his skipper for the final regular round encounter.
“He’s taken a few knocks over the last few weeks,” said the Munster head coach. “We’ll take our time in the week and I’m only going with guys this week that are 100 per cent.
“In three weeks’ time there’s a guaranteed quarter-final, and I have to look at the big picture again.
“Obviously we want Pete to play but if guys come through training, I’m going to pick them – if not, I’m not going to risk them this weekend.”
If O’mahony doesn’t make it, the availability of Gavin Coombes becomes more important. He returned to training on Monday after undergoing ankle surgery last month.
“Coombesy is incredibly important to our group,” acknowledged van Graan. “I’d love to pick him but it’s definitely not a guarantee that he’ll play.”