Leamy injury may be costly for Munster

News round-up: Denis Leamy's superhuman performances in the Six Nations may prove costly to Munster hopes of winning the European Cup as the backrower undergoes a scan today on the ankle damaged against England last Saturday.

An X-ray ruled out a fracture but ligament damage has been confirmed, almost certainly ruling him out of Saturday's trip to Stradey Park to face the Llanelli Scarlets in the Celtic League. Replays of the incident show Leamy's ankle turning awkwardly. Remarkably, the Tipperary man attempted to continue - even fielding a restart - before being replaced by Johnny O'Connor on 71 minutes.

The European Cup quarter-final against Perpignan follows on April 1st at Lansdowne Road. As this is the stage when teams can add two players to squads this game could mark an ideal return for Christian Cullen, Mike Mullins and Jeremy Manning after long and short-term injuries. Cullen played his first game in 11 months against Leinster A last week. Reports confirmed the former All Black took at least one hit on his troublesome shoulder. He also lined out for Midleton, against Cork Constitution, over the weekend.

With former Irish under-21 centre Barry Murphy out injured, the availability of Cullen or Mullins is crucial to Munster continuing with the expansive game that has served them so well this season. Both were added to their extended European squad.

Leinster, who have added Jonathan Sexton and Gary Brown to their European Cup squad, have a gap week in the Celtic League. The Triple Crown winners must blend back in, despite a 12-week absence, before the trip to Toulouse for their European Cup quarter-final, also on April 1st.

Connacht and Ulster are back in Celtic League duty with Michael Bradley's team away to the Border Reivers on Friday night, while Mark McCall's side host the Dragons on Saturday afternoon.