Murray was stretchered off in the 59th minute in obvious pain after landing akwardly and although it remained to be seen, it did look like a serious injury. Reports from the Ireland camp suggest he will be out of action for 3/4 weeks.

O'Connell appeared to come through unscathed but had twisted his knee in the course of the game and it transpired he's suffered medial collateral ligament damage and will be out for 3/6 weeks.

Should both predictions prove correct and working off a worst case scenario, 4 weeks and 6 weeks respectively, Murray has a chance to be back in time for the Heineken cup quarter final against Ulster but O'Connell would have to be considered a doubt.

Tomas O'Leary will travel to Carton House to join up with the national squad in place of his Munster colleague.