Ireland wait on Earls and D'Arcy
Rugby:Ireland have issued a “guarded prognosis” on both Irish centres Keith Earls and Gordon D’Arcy following Saturday’s opening Six Nations match against Wales.
Inside centre D’Arcy suffered a dead leg with Earls shipping a shoulder injury and took part in only “modified training” today at the Irish team base at Carton House.
Earls will undergo a specialist review tomorrow before a decision is made about Sunday’s game against England in Aviva Stadium.
Concerns over Brian O’Driscoll (stitches), Peter O’Mahony (concussion), Mike Ross (cramp) and Rob Kearney (back) have subsided.
Following a scan to Kearney’s back, he has been cleared of any new injury. The Irish fullback spent months sidelined following a back operation last year.
As a result of the injuries several new names have been drafted into the 30-man Irish squad as cover including Connacht fullback Rob Henshaw and two centres-cum-wingers, Ulster’s Darren Cave and Andrew Trimble, as well as Leinster forward Rhys Ruddock.
“Most of the players have recovered,” said team manager Mick Kearney. “The two who have guarded prognosis Earlsy and Gordon D’Arcy, we will have to wait until later in the week to see how those turn out.”
The Irish manager also said he believed Kearney’s contractual issues were close to being finalised and soon afterwards that much was confirmed when the Leinster man announced the deal on Twitter.
"There is no place like home," he wrote. "Delighted to have re signed with Leinster for two more years... Great club,players, coaches and supporters!"
