Injury problems mounting up for Munster

Rugby:Munster are still counting the cost of Saturday's win over the Ospreys after the province confirmed Denis Fogarty, Felix Jones and Ian Dowling are all facing lengthy spells on the sidelines. All three started, but were forced off at Thomond Park and will join the likes of Paul O'Connnell on the long-term injury list.

Fogarty, who has already been omitted from Munster’s Heineken Cup squad list, needed surgery on his shoulder this morning and won’t be back in action this side of Christmas. With first-choice hooker Jerry Flannery yet to make his comeback, Fogarty’s absence leaves coach Tony McGahan short of options in the frontrow.

Today’s news will be particularly hard to take for Jones, who had recently returned from a career-threatening neck injury that kept him out for the majority of last season and now finds himself sidelined with cruciate ligament damage.

The former Leinster fullback had been in sparkling form since making his comeback, opening his Magners League account against Aironi on the first weekend.

As with Dowling and his hip injury, it is not clear exactly how long Jones will be out of action. But the initial prognosis does not look good for either player, with the province confirming that “initial indications are that they face lengthy periods of rehab”.

Leinster, meanwhile, have included two of their walking wounded in their Heineken Cup squad list submitted to organisers European Rugby Cup. Kevin McLaughlin and Leo Cullen are named on the panel, although how much they will actually feature over the opening three pool games remains to be seen.

Stan Wright, who has been ruled out for six months after snapping his Achilles tendon, is not included but can be added in the new year.Ben Prescott, brought in at the last minute to provide cover for the injured prop, has been named on the 38-man list.

Ulster’s new triumvirate of Springboks - Ruan Pienaar, Johann Muller and Pedrie Wannenburg – are all included on their European roster.