Munster No.8 James Coughlan is carrying a hand injury © Getty Images

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Match Pack: Ulster down rivals Munster to progress

Players/Officials: James Coughlan | Keith Earls

Tournaments/Tours: RaboDirect PRO12

Teams: Ireland | Leinster | Munster

Munster are awaiting further news on a hand injury suffered by No.8 James Coughlan in last weekend's Heineken Cup quarter-final loss to Ulster.

Having already lost their proud knockout record at Thomond Park, the coaching staff will be keen to preserve their front-line players for the RaboDirect PRO12 run-in.

Munster currently sit third, but are locked in a battle for a semi-final spot with Glasgow Warriors and Ulster.

Coughlan will see a specialist later this week to determine the severity of a bone fracture in his hand, with Ireland centre Keith Earls also awaiting further news on a leg injury.

Earls had been a doubt for the Ulster clash but pulled through to play a full part, although he struggled with the knock late into the game.

The injury news was more positive for PRO12 leaders Leinster in the wake of their thumping last eight win over Cardiff Blues, with no new problems reported and Eoin O'Malley set to return from a calf strain in this weekend's clash with Edinburgh.