Peter O’Mahony to miss Ireland’s tour of Argentina

Peter O’Mahony has been ruled out of Ireland’s tour of Argentina in June after undergoing reconstructive shoulder surgery in Dublin yesterday.

Munster coach Rob Penney revealed this week that his captain initially sustained the injury during the Six Nations.

Having over-extended his left shoulder in an early lineout, O’Mahony lasted only 19 minutes of the 47-23 victory over Toulouse on Saturday.

Recovery from such an operation takes four to six months. That means O’Mahony might not be available until the commencement of the new European competition next October.

Either way, a season that established the 24-year-old as a world class blindside flanker is over.

O’Mahony also cemented his position as a core member of both provincial, where he succeeded Paul O’Connell as captain, and Ireland leadership groups. This was initially apparent when leading Ireland on a successful two-Test tour of North America last June.

Joe Schmidt’s first touring party will probably be announced on May 19th. That’s the Monday after the Pro 12 semi-finals, which is almost certain to see Leinster, Munster and Ulster involved.

The last ever Heineken Cup final takes place the following Saturday in Cardiff with Munster facing the winners of Saracens and Clermont Auvergne, if they overcome Toulon in Marseilles on April 27th.

The Ireland squad leaves Dublin on June 1st, less than 24 hours after the Pro 12 final.

Seán O’Brien, also recovering from shoulder surgery, has already been ruled out while Stephen Ferris may not be risked having just returned from a 16-month injured enforced absence. Ferris is currently on a short term Ulster contract as he attempts to prove his durability.

Others in a race to be fit for Argentina are Ulster hooker Rory Best, ruled out for up to eight weeks with an ankle injury, and Fergus McFadden (knee).

Ireland manager Mick Kearney and Ger Carmody, logistics officer for the 2013 Lions tour of Australia, recently returned from Resistencia and Tucumán, where Ireland play Test matches against the Pumas on June 7th and 14th.

An Emerging Ireland squad, coached by Dan McFarland, are travelling to Romania for a three-game tournament.

Meanwhile, Leinster flanker Conor Gilsenan will move to London Irish when his loan deal with Connacht ends this summer.

Imminent departure

Ulster continued their recruitment of props to replace the imminent departure of John Afoa and Tom Court by signing Cork native Dave Ryan on a two-year deal.

Ryan has been with Zebre for two seasons and will presumably compete with Wiehahn Herbst – the South African recently signed on a three-year deal – for the number three jersey next season.

“While a part of me is sad to leave, the opportunity to join a team with the quality and character of Ulster was too great to pass up,” said Ryan, whose brother Tim Ryan was formerly with Toulon. “I’m excited to start a new chapter in my career with a team I have always admired for their work ethic, style of play and physicality.

“I would like to thank David Humphreys and Mark Anscombe for the opportunity.”

Although Ryan flirted with the US Eagles squad, he remains Irish-qualified. The 25- year-old Herbst is a project player as he qualifies for Ireland through residency in 2017.

This may be of benefit as Ulster continue to rebuild their squad. Johann Muller and Leo Cullen are both retiring next month and with a doubt still hanging over Connacht captain Craig Clarke, due to repetitive concussion, three provinces could be in the market for new locks. And leaders.

It’s unclear which squad will be allowed add a foreign second row but under IRFU guidelines either Leinster or Ulster will be denied this luxury.

The signing of foreign players has been restricted by the union this season with Leinster denied their request to extend Lote Tuqiri’s short-term deal in January. The 34 year old former Wallaby winger subsequently returned to Rugby League, signing a one-year deal with Russell Crowe’s South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Munster are also seeking to replace Casey Laulala as the Kiwi centre is moving to France. Laulala could yet feature in the closing stages of this season despite fracturing a bone in his hand against Toulouse.

But the greatest loss for Munster, is O’Mahony. Either Damien Varley or O’Connell will lead them out at Stade Velódrome.