Denis Leamy could yet feature for Munster in their Heineken Cup quarter-final against Perpignan at Lansdowne Road a week on Saturday as scan results on his injured ankle reveal no long-term damage.
The versatile back row suffered the injury during Ireland's barnstorming 28-24 Triple Crown triumph over England at Twickenham last Saturday and was reluctantly forced off the pitch in the 71st minute.
He later left the stadium with a supporting cast around his foot and also on crutches but is now walking unaided. The cast has also been removed.
An X-ray yesterday ruled out a fracture and ligament damage. Today's scan results revealed heavy bruising to the ankle.
Suggestions Leamy could resume light training this week were rejected by a Munster official.
"It's a relief that his injury is not as bad as first feared," the official said, "but there's absolutely no chance Denis will train this week. It will be Monday before we properly know how he's progressing."
Leamy, one of Ireland's outstanding performers during the Six Nations campaign, is, then, definitely out of Munster's Celtic League clash with Llanelli at Stradey Park on Saturday.
Jerry Flannery, meanwhile, was today selected as Ireland's Six Nations player of the tournament. The much improved hooker topped a media poll ahead of Munster colleagues Paul O'Connell and Leamy.
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