Munster confident of Antoine Frisch return for quarter-final

Munster could have Antoine Frisch fit for Friday's BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-final against the Ospreys, although head coach Graham Rowntree doesn't expect to have Alex Nankivell available.

The centre pair missed out on Saturday's comeback win over Ulster due to leg issues, while a serious ankle injury for Rory Scannell forced them into a tactical switch in the opening half last weekend, as Jack Crowley moved to inside centre, with Joey Carbery at out-half.

On Saturday evening, Rowntree appeared confident when asked about the prospect of Frisch being fit for Friday's visit of the Ospreys, although New Zealander Nankivell is unlikely to recover from his ankle issue on time.

The likelihood is that Frisch will slot into the centre alongside Seán O'Brien, although the Munster coach could be tempted by starting Carbery at ten, and moving Crowley into the 12 shirt, a combination that impressed on Saturday.

Carbery is heading into his final weeks at Munster ahead of a summer move to France, and Rowntree says the 28-year-old has been impressing.

"Played well, didn't he? [Carbery]," Rowntree (below) said.

"He is about to be a father as well. He has a lot on his mind, a lot on his mind at the moment, Joey.

"We have always had that ability for Jack to move to 12 and for Joey to come on. We trained that in the week. I thought he brought composure tonight."

Saturday's win against Ulster was Munster's ninth in a row in the URC, their longest winning run since early 2017, while they've picked up a try bonus-point in eight of those nine wins.

One of those victories came against this week's opposition, Ospreys, back in March, when an outstanding defensive performance saw them win an arm-wrestle 27-17.

On the night, Munster took