Ronan O'Gara could yet play a part in Munster's remaining Heineken Cup pool fixtures but the defending champions will definitely be without Rua Tipoki after he was ruled out for up to a month with a hamstring injury.
It had been feared that O'Gara, who also tweaked a hamstring during Munster's 37-11 reversal at Thomond Park last night, would be deemed hors de combat for the pivotal clash against Sale on Friday week.
However, after having the injury assessed today, the Munster management team are confident that the extent of the problem is "not as serious as first thought".
While O'Gara will almost certainly be rested for next weekend's Magners League trip to the Ospreys, the Ireland international remains in contention for the must-win encounter with Sale in Limerick and the match against Mountaban a week later.
"The badly needed good news is that Ronan O'Gara's hamstring injury is not as serious as first thought," revealed a statement from Munster. "Although doubtful for the trip to Wales he is expected to be fit in time for the visit of Sale Sharks."
The prognosis for Tipoki was not quite so upbeat with the centre sidelined for a month.
The Kiwi, who was making his comeback from the knee injury suffered against the All Blacks in November, will be badly missed in the European games although his absence may not be as keenly felt as the likes of O'Gara.
James Coughlan, another casualty of the defeat by Ulster, has also been ruled out for a month with a shoulder problem.
Ulster coach Matt Williams, meanwhile, was delighted with his side's performance as the northern province became the first Irish side to triumph in Limerick since 1995.
"To come to one of the greatest grounds in the world and to win the way we did with ball in hand and to score so many tries is a real achievement," Williams said after the match. "The players stood up in every aspect of the game and were magnificent.
Our defence has been the basis of our success but we want to play the ball in hand and have an off-loading game which takes time to come through.
"But we saw both aspects of the game here, a super defence and then we also attacked with courage and panache."
