A statement issued this morning read;

Having been named in the match squad for Munster's Heineken Cup clash with Biarritz Olympique next Sunday, Brian Lima has been forced to withdraw after suffering a quadricep muscle injury in training yesterday (Tuesday).

Lima pulled up at the very end of the morning session at UL and initial medical advice suggested he had suffered a mild strain. However a scan this (Wed) morning showed more serious damage and the decision was taken to withdraw him from the squad to travel to France.

The Samoan will undergo further medical examination later in the week to determine the full extent of the injury.

Munster coach responding to the news said, " It goes without saying that I am very disappointed with the news of Brian's injury. He is a vastly experienced and skilful player who would have complemented our squad travelling for what was always going to be a very difficult game.

"In circumstances like this you have to feel for a player who travelled half way across the world to play with us. I know he was looking forward to the challenge. So it's really tough on him. Tough on everyone, but that's the environment we operate in.

" This sort of thing is part and parcel of the job we work at. We have just got to move on quickly and deal with this as we would any setback."