Ronan's last involvement with Munster was in the RaboDirect PRO12 November 25th encounter with Scarlets at Musgrave Park. He was stretchered off in that game after an incident involving Scarlets lock Jake Ball that saw him detained overnight in CUH and Ball cited.

His return for Shannon opens the possibility of consideration for Munster next game, the home tie with Ospreys at Thomond Park Stadium on Saturday week though Ronan refuses to think that far ahead. "Let's see how things go with Shannon first, " he said after training in UL on Wednesday." I'm delighted to be back at last and very grateful to Shannon for giving me this game-time.

"Obviously it's frustrating to be sidelined for this long and I'm delighted to be back, with a huge thanks to the Munster medics and S&C for all their hard work."

He'll be joined on the Shannon side by Munster colleagues Marcus Horan and Luke O'Dea while other provincial colleagues involved in the domestic League at the weekend include Alan Cotter (Young Munster), Scott Deasy (Cork Con) and Christy Condon and Danny Barnes with their club Dolphin who take on St Mary's at Templeville Road.