GAVIN CAN TAKE IT TO THE MAX

Deegan: Munster are flying with Coombes in pilot seat

- DEREK FOLEY

HIGH-FLYING Leinster haven’t had a difficult week’s training — but it hasn’t been as straightforward as normal given Munster’s selection for tomorrow’s URC semi-final is so up in the air. 

The loss of four of last week’s starters to concussion protocols - Calvin Nash, Malakai Fekitoa, Conor Murray, and RG Snyman - hooker Diarmuid Barron also ruled out and the strong suggestion Peter O’Mahony won’t play means a re-jigging nightmare for the southerners.

But despite all of this Max Deegan knows where the biggest threat will be - in his department, where Gavin Coombes has been sensational these last few weeks.

The Skibbereen-born No 8 has been highly visible in attack and defence as Munster have started to post eye-catching results.