The logic of Michael Bradley's hesitation to name Conor McPhillips in Connacht's starting XV until he presents himself in full working order for the captain's run tomorrow was illustrated by the departure of Munster's David Wallace from Eddie O'Sullivan's Irish squad session last weekend.
The openside flanker and occasional winger went over on an ankle during Sunday's session and was unable to take part in any further activities. He travelled back to Munster for treatment and will miss Saturday's Celtic League match against Connacht in the Sportsground and probably the following weekend's Celtic League fixture against Leinster. Munster have a free weekend the following week.
Wallace is hoping to be fit from then on and to be fully involved in Munster's preparation for their first European Heineken Cup match, against Sale Sharks on October 21st in Edgeley Park.
In a disappointing run of injuries, Munster are now short several senior players who had been showing excellent form - including Wallace, Paul O'Connell and Anthony Horgan.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/f6af4aa9-3e11-4b2d-ad9f-be0f224302ab.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)