Jack Crowley out until 2027 due to injury
Michael Bolton
Munster and Ireland will be without fly-half Jack Crowley for the rest of the year due to injury.
The Province has revealed the Ireland international has been assessed by specialists for a lower limb vascular injury and isn't expected to return to action until the new year, following medical advice.
Crowley sustained the injury during a warm-up against Ulster in April.
Crowley will miss the start of Munster's URC and Champions Cup campaigns, as well as Ireland's November fixtures against Argentina, Fiji and South Africa.
The Munster out-half missed Ireland's Nations Championship games against Australia, Japan and New Zealand in July.
Edwin Edogbo, Tom Farrell and Calvin Nash are all expected to be fit in time for the start of the URC late next month after all three underwent successful surgeries in the summer.
Will Harrison suffered a re-aggravation of a knee injury in pre-season and is being managed by the medical department.
Head Coach Clayton McMillan said: “Jack Crowley is a very important player for Munster and Ireland with a big future in the game and ensuring he gets back to 100% is the priority.
“Will Harrison’s injury is a frustrating one for him because he has come into a new environment and made an immediate impression, but the reaggravation is a setback and we want to make sure he’s in the best possible condition before he takes the field.
“We have a good mix of experience and youth available in the out-half position with JJ Hanrahan and Academy men Tom Wood and Charlie O’Shea.
“JJ has played 160 games for Munster and is our third-highest points-scorer of all-time so he is a player we know we can count on.
“Tom Wood and Charlie O’Shea are very exciting young players who have come up through the Munster pathway and excelled with the Ireland U20s last season.
“Tom made his Munster debut last season with Charlie joining the Academy earlier this month and they will get opportunities this year so we are excited to see what they can do."