Simon Zebo out for five weeks; Munster sign Jaco Taute

Simon Zebo is expected to be sidelined for five weeks after suffering a fractured rib in Munster’s 23-13 PRO12 victory over the Scarlets on Saturday.

The Ireland international, who started at full-back in the game at Parc y Scarlets, was replaced in the 17th minute by Ian Keatley following a collision, and a scan subsequently confirmed the damage.

There was more bad news for Munster on the injury front, with substitute hooker Kevin O'Byrne suffering an elbow injury late in the game that looks set to keep him out for three months.

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Zebo and O'Byrne join Stephen Archer (neck), Francis Saili (shoulder), Peter O'Mahony (knee), Sammy Arnold (knee), Mark Chisholm (concussion) and Sean McCarthy (knee) on Munster's injury list.

Influential back-row CJ Stander is in line to return for Friday's game with Cardiff in Cork after making his return from the IRFU Player Welfare Programme, but Keith Earls and Conor Murray remain sidelined.

Meanwhile, Munster have announced Stormers and Western Province back Jaco Taute has joined the province on a four-month loan basis, subject to being granted a work permit.

Due to the injuries to centres Saili and Arnold, director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has raided his homeland of South Africa to bolster Munster's options in midfield.

The 25-year-old played for the Springboks on three occasions in 2012 and has made 50 Super Rugby appearances, having also represented the Lions.