Jack Crowley will not return for Munster until the new year after specialists assessed the Ireland out-half's lower limb vascular injury. The news removes him from the opening months of the province's season and Ireland's Nations Championship campaign.
Crowley has been out since April. Munster said the decision follows medical advice, with the priority on getting the 26-year-old fully fit rather than forcing a return.
A long wait at ten
Clayton McMillan called Crowley an important player for Munster and Ireland and said his recovery had to come first. The setback lands just as Munster begin pre-season, with a friendly against La Rochelle in France on Friday.
Munster start their URC campaign against Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park on 26 September. Ireland host Argentina, Fiji and South Africa in the Nations Championship during November, but Crowley is not expected to feature before the competition reaches its London finals weekend.
The squeeze on Munster's depth
Will Harrison has also suffered a recurrence of a knee injury in pre-season. That leaves JJ Hanrahan, Tom Wood and Charlie O'Shea as Munster's available out-half options identified by McMillan.
Hanrahan's experience gives Munster a steady hand, but Crowley's absence changes the shape of the season. There is no neat like-for-like replacement for a player who has carried so much of the province's attacking game.
The practical task is clear. Munster need to get through the opening URC block with their new combinations settled, their young tens exposed to real responsibility and no temptation to rush Crowley back.
Reporting: Munster Rugby, Irish Rugby