Munster head coach Clayton McMillan issues update on Jack Crowley injury
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Sidelined.
Munster remain hopeful that Jack Crowley will return around Christmas as the Ireland out-half continues to make progress in his recovery from a blood vessel injury.
The Ireland international has been sidelined since April due to the narrowing of a blood vessel. Although successive scans have shown improvement, he has been advised to avoid overexerting himself during the recovery process.
Munster head coach Clayton McMillan says the province remains hopeful of having Crowley available around the turn of the year, but insists his health will take precedence over any proposed comeback date.
“We’re really hoping that that timeline around Christmas is where that’s going to happen, but the reality is we probably don’t truly know until he gets back starting running again and then see what the reaction in his body is like,” McMillan told RTÉ Sport.
Crowley last played in Munster’s URC victory over Benetton in April and subsequently missed Ireland’s summer Tests.
Despite the lengthy spell on the sidelines, McMillan says the 26-year-old has remained heavily involved around the Munster squad throughout pre-season.
“(Jack is) good. He’s in really good spirits, and to look at him physically you wouldn’t notice anything different,” he said.
“He looks after himself, and the nature of his injury is just that – it’s kind of like a narrowing of a (blood) vessel.
“The advice he has been given is that while he’s in this recovery state he shouldn’t overexert himself just until it sort of opens up and he gets better blood flow through there.”
Crowley is able to maintain a level of fitness, but running remains the main area he has been instructed to avoid.
“Being the diligent man that he is, he’s not doing a hell of a lot other than just keeping himself in pretty good nick. It’s the running that he’s probably trying to avoid the most.
“His most recent scan, or every scan that he’s taken, has shown an improvement.”
Munster will continue to monitor those scans before gradually increasing Crowley’s workload. McMillan is confident the out-half will follow the medical guidance closely rather than attempt to accelerate his comeback.
“He’s probably one of the most diligent guys that I’ve ever come across, so he’s not going to leave any stone unturned. He’s not going to push things unnecessarily.
“He’ll give himself every opportunity to meet the deadlines and he’s the sort of bloke that will just make it happen out of will.”
Munster’s options at out-half have been further tested ahead of Friday’s final pre-season fixture against Leicester Tigers.
Tom Wood is due to have a shoulder problem assessed, while JJ Hanrahan is following the return-to-play protocols after suffering a concussion.
With both players unavailable, 20-year-old Charlie O’Shea is in line to start against Leicester. Former Munster out-half Tony Butler has also returned to train with the squad temporarily.
