Munster will be without both Conor Murray and Chris Farrell for this Friday night's game against the Cardiff Blues at Thomond Park in the Rainbow Cup.

Murray has been sidelined with a leg injury, but the province say the issue is "low-grade" and he is expected to be available for selection in their fifth Rainbow Cup game versus Zebre on June 11.

The news will come as some relief not just to Munster head coach Johann van Graan, but also Lions head coach Warren Gatland, with Conor Murray the most experienced scrumhalf in the tourists' ranks for this summer's series in South Africa.

Meanwhile, centre Chris Farrell is rehabbing a groin injury and is definitely ruled out of Friday's game at Thomond Park, with the province stopping short of putting a timeline on his return.

Roman Salanoa is unavailable after picking up an ankle injury in training and is undergoing rehabilitation with the medical department.

Thomas Aherne will also continue to be sidelined. Despite returning from a knee injury recently, illness has prevented him from training.

There is better news for Gavin Coombes, who missed the defeat to Connacht due to illness. The 23-year-old is back in full training and will be available for selection this weekend. Scrumhalf Paddy Patterson - on loan from Leinster - is also back in training, and could play for the first time since March in this Friday night's home game.

Munster have fallen back to second place in the Rainbow Cup North standings following their defeat to Connacht last time out.

Johann van Graan's side sit four points back from leaders Benetton, ahead of the final two regular season games against Cardiff and Zebre.

The final will see the top northern side take on the winners of the South African division on June 19th.

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