Earlier in the season it was the forwards who were struck down with Paul O'Connell, David Wallace and Martin Cahill all ruled out but now it's the backs who have succumbed to injury. Anthony Horgan's return to competitive action lasted all of six minutes on Saturday before he retired with a hamstring injury. Gaffney received that news in Belfield where he was watchinmg Garyowen and UCD, a game in which Dominic Crotty broke a bone in his hand that will rule him out for 4-6 weeks.

John Kellly will be out for at least another four weeks after picking up a knee injury in the game against Australia. Jeremy Staunton hasn't played since the game against Gloucester and John O'Neill goes in to have an operation on his ankle later this week. Conor Mahony who is in the Munster Celtic league squad though not in the Heineken Cup 32 has just had a plaster removed from his leg. the news on Rob Henderson is that he will have the cast removed from his arm at the end of this month but will require at least six weeks before he can resume contact.