On track.

Munster and Ireland number eight CJ Stander is progressing well following a serious facial injury sustained in the Six Nations round one defeat to England last month.

Stander fractured his eye-socket and cheek in two places after a clash with openside Tom Curry and was initially told he would be out of action for around four weeks. With No Six Nations fixtures this weekend it look like he could be ready to go come the France game on March 10.

Joey Carbery meanwhile suffered a hamstring injury in training last week, forcing him to miss the win over Italy. Munster say he will be managed by the Irish medical team and will remain in camp for rehabilitation.

A timeline on his return is unknown at the moment with Munster head coach Johann van Graan unable to confirm he’ll be back in time for their Champions Cup quarter final with Edinburgh next month, but at the same time hopeful he could be back well before then and play in the Six Nations again.

“It is a bit early to say. It’s a hamstring injury and it takes a bit of time to settle. Obviously for us it’s a worry that he is hurt.” van Graan said

“He is one of our best players and we would love to have him for that game but that is still a very long way down the road. Hopefully he will be back for Ireland against Wales or against the French.”

Meanwhile Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw are all expected to be fit in time for the French game, with Tadhg Beirne also set to be available having made a successful man of the match return for Munster in the win over Ospreys.