Ireland will be without Jack Crowley for their November Test against South Africa after Munster confirmed the flyhalf's recovery from a lower limb vascular injury will extend into the new year.
Crowley has been sidelined since April and has already missed Ireland's Nations Championship fixtures against Australia, Japan and New Zealand. The 35-cap playmaker will now also sit out the autumn internationals against Argentina, Fiji and South Africa.
Munster head coach Clayton McMillan said returning Crowley to full fitness remains the priority. "Jack Crowley is a very important player for Munster and Ireland with a big future in the game and ensuring he gets back to 100% is the priority," McMillan said.
Crowley played every minute of Ireland's 2024 Six Nations title-winning campaign and reclaimed the No.10 jersey this year, guiding Ireland to wins over England, Wales and Scotland to claim the Triple Crown.
Munster's flyhalf depth has been further stretched by a knee re-aggravation suffered by new signing Will Harrison. McMillan said the club will lean on JJ Hanrahan alongside academy flyhalves Tom Wood and Charlie O'Shea in the interim.
Munster open their URC campaign at home against Glasgow on 26 September, with Ireland internationals Edwin Edogbo, Tom Farrell (shoulder) and Calvin Nash (hamstring) expected back in the early rounds after summer surgeries.