Munster face backrow crisis

Rugby:Munster coach Rob Penney faces something of a backrow crisis ahead of Saturday's Heineken Cup clash with Saracens at Thomond Park (6.0) following the news that South African born flanker CJ Stander suffered a fractured hand against the Glasgow Warriors last weekend and will be out until January.

It’s a huge blow for the Irish province as the 22 year old had made a stunning impact on his home debut, scoring two tries. He underwent a scan on a damaged hand and has been ruled out until New Year.

Penney is already without a trio of flankers in Niall Ronan, Sean Dougall and Tommy O’Donnell, all of whom are injured and won’t be available for the Saracens match. As a result of his injury Stander has not been registered for the European Cup at this juncture. Number eight James Coughlan has and has been included in the province’s official squad for the tournament with centre Ivan Dineen deregistered.

The Munster coach may now turn to Paddy Butler or Dave O'Callaghan in terms of his backrow options to play alongside Coughlan and Irish flanker Peter O'Mahony.