Leo Cullen allays concerns over Tadhg Furlong's fitness ahead of Ireland's autumn Tests

Leo Cullen expects Tadhg Furlong to be fit for Ireland's meeting with world champions South Africa despite concerns over the ankle injury that caused him to miss Leinster's win over Munster.

Furlong was a late withdrawal ahead of the Munster game after rolling his ankle in training and Leinster confirmed on Monday that he will undergo further assessment by the IRFU’s medical team.

Injured trio Josh van der Flier, Hugo Keenan and Jamison Gibson-Park will also be assessed by the IRFU as they step up their rehabilitation this week.

Ireland begin their Bank of Ireland Nations Series against the Springboks on 5 November and Cullen is confident Furlong will be passed fit to face the world champions.

The Leinster head coach said: "Tadhg was very close to making the [Munster] game, he just rolled his ankle on Thursday. Another day we would have taken that... it’s not even a chance, he would have played the game.

"We took a cautious decision there and Tadhg should be okay to go this week."

'We made tough work of it at certain stages' - Leo Cullen was pleased with how his team fought back from 13-7 down to get past Munster pic.twitter.com/RZ3SIDavWS

Cullen, meanwhile, said he had "started a conversation" with BKT United Rugby Championship officials as he seeks clarification over the incident involving Jean Kleyn and Jamie Osborne during Saturday’s derby at the Aviva Stadium.

Munster lock Kleyn was sin-binned after dangerously colliding with Osborne, having jumped to try and charge down the Leinster wing’s kick.

Osborne has entered the graduated return-to-play protocols and will miss Friday’s game away to the Scarlets.

"There’s mixed views on that incident, depending on who you talk to," said Cullen. "The officials managed the situation