O’Mahony expected to return for vital Champions Cup clash

The talismanic loose forward has been sidelined with a calf injury, but he was rated touch-and-go for last weekend’s pool win over Saracens at Thomond Park, and he will step up his recovery over the coming days with a view to featuring at Franklin’s Gardens.

Winger Shane Daly failed a HIA on Saturday evening, and he is now following the return-to-play-protocols.

Conor Murray (elbow), Jack O’Donoghue (shoulder) and Diarmuid Barron (shoulder) all made successful returns against Saracens, and are in line to feature again this weekend.

In further positive news, winger Diarmuid Kilgallen (wrist) also trained fully last week with no issues, while prop Mark Donnelly has recovered from the ankle injury he sustained on Emerging Ireland duty and returns to full training this week.

Munster’s lengthy absentee list still includes Dave Kilcoyne (thigh), Scott Buckley (calf), Alex Nankivell (hamstring), Thaakir Abrahams (shoulder), Craig Casey (knee), Jean Kleyn (thigh), Liam Coombes (chest), Seán O’Brien (leg), Jeremy Loughman (hip), Josh Wycherley (neck), Patrick Campbell (shoulder), Cian Hurley (knee), Edwin Edogbo (Achilles) and Roman Salanoa (knee).