Munster are facing the prospect of playing French giants Toulouse without Conor Murray.
The Southern Province take on the four time European Champions in their first Champions Cup quarter final in three years at Thomond Park on Saturday, but may have to cope without their star scrum half.
Murray has been rated as 50/50 for the game as he continues to recover from the shoulder injury he suffered during Ireland's Six Nations defeat to Wales in Cardiff.
'A peculiar injury' was how the Irish management described the stinger issue at the time.
They were confident the 27 year old would recover for the following week's showdown with England, but Kieran Marmion had to be called on to start the Grand Slam busting victory at the Aviva Stadium.
Murray sat out Munster's 50-14 victory over Zebre in the Pro 12 in Italy over the weekend, and is still struggling with the issue.
Rassie Erasmus admits he is bending his rules in the hope that Murray can line out against Toulouse.
The Munster coach will give the Lions scrum half until the morning of the match to prove his fitness.
📽@ConorMurray_9 rated 50/50 for @Munsterrugby @ChampionsCup clash with @StadeToulousain. He has until Saturday to prove his fitness. pic.twitter.com/QdprCh3XTT
— Today FM Sport (@todayfmsport) March 27, 2017
