Hayes in line for Thomond start

Munster coach Declan Kidney hopes to have prop John Hayes available for next weekend's Heineken Cup clash with Clermont Auvergne…

Munster coach Declan Kidney hopes to have prop John Hayes available for next weekend's Heineken Cup clash with Clermont Auvergne after it was revealed the neck injury he sustained against Wasps is not as serious as first feared.

The Ireland international was forced off shortly before half-time at the Ricoh Arena, where Munster secured a bonus point but were beaten by a single point, but is expected to return to training on Wednesday as Kidney's side bid to get their European campaign back on track.

Ian Dowling is also set to return to action at Thomond Park having missed the trip to England through illness but Tomas O'Leary is definitely ruled out after he was diagnosed with pneumonia. The scrum-half will be sidelined for about three weeks.

Leinster came through Saturday's hugely physical encounter with Leicester relatively unscathed, with only bumps and bruises to report.

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Rob Kearney's withdrawal at the RDS was due to a simple case of cramp while coach Michael Cheika could call upon the services of the fit again Stephen Knoop for Sunday's late-night meeting with Toulouse.