'It's a big concern for us' - Injuries mount for Munster ahead of Exeter showdown

Munster head coach Johann van Graan is bracing himself to be without three of his Six Nations internationals as well as Gavin Coombes for the first leg of their Heineken Champions Cup last 16 against Leinster on Saturday.

Andrew Conway, Tadhg Beirne and Dave Kilcoyne all missed Saturday's 35-19 defeat to Leinster at Thomond Park, while Coombes suffered a first half ankle injury.

The number 8 was withdrawn after 27 minutes having briefly attempted to play on with the injury.

He appeared on the sideline with his ankle in a protective boot and using crutches, and while Van Graan was reluctant to guess a timeframe on the recovery, he didn't sound confident about the back row's chances of returning in time for the away leg at Sandy Park.

"He's obviously a very important player for us. You saw at the start of the game I thought he carried really well. It's a big concern for us with what's ahead," Van Graan said.

The South African has all but ruled Conway out of this week's first leg, while said he would be "pretty worried" about fellow internationals Beirne and Kilcoyne, who both returned from the Six Nations camp with knocks.

However, he seemed hopeful Simon Zebo, Mike Haley and Jean Kleyn could return this week.

"Andrew Conway, it's safe to say he won't make next week. Pretty worried about Tadhg [Beirne] and Dave [Kilcoyne], we'll wait until Monday and see how they are.

"Hopefully, JK [Jean Kleyn], Mike [Haley] and Zeebs [Zebo] will be back in. I'm more hopeful for them but I don't want to speculate tonight.

"Hopefully we get some good news because in knock-out rugby you need your best players on the pitch."

Van Graan lamented his side's first half discipline, after they failed to adapt to referee Christophe Ridley's interpretation of