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Wycherley doubt for Munster ahead of Champions Cup semi-final

VERSATILE BACK FIVE player Fineen Wycherely is Munster’s only new injury concern as they start preparing for next weekend’s Heineken Champions Cup semi-final against Saracens.

The 21-year old Bantry native, who played in the two December Champions Cup games against Castres Olympique before announcing his arrival on the big stage with a massive hit on Jonathan Sexton in their festive win over Leinster, picked up a leg injury in Treviso on Friday night.

Wycherley has now chalked up 20 appearances either as lock or in the back row but is doubtful to challenge for a place against Saracens after picking up a leg injury in the bonus point 37-28 win over Benetton Rugby at Stadio Monigo on Friday night.

“There are a few concerns,” said Munster coach Johann van Graan.

“But there will be a lot of knocks and bruises from this game. That was like a Test match.”

Fineen Wycherley during Munster’s win in Italy on Friday night. Source: Elena Barbini/INPHO

Van said he was pleased the way his men came from eleven points down in the second-half to hold Benetton scoreless for the closing 35 minutes of a very good contest.

“We had the yellow card down and we went on to get some positive results out of that and I’m so glad for the squad,’ said van Graan as his men recovered from a penalty try and a sin-binning for Darren Sweetnam early in the second-half.

They trailed 21-17 at the break after Rhys Marshall and Dan Goggin crossed for tries and they fashioned the victory with scores from winger Shane Daly — his first for Munster — and Alby Mathewson to seal the win.

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