The physical nature of Saturday’s 38-18 defeat to New Zealand came to light this evening with news that Rob Kearney, Luke Fitzgerald and Rory Best have been ruled out of the final game of the autumn series against Argentina next Sunday.
Luke Fitzgerald suffered a medial ligament injury to his left knee during the game. Although it is the same knee he injured last November, it is a new injury and to a different part of the knee. He is expected to be out for approximately six weeks and will miss Leinster’s Heineken Cup clash at home to Clermont.
Ulster hooker Rory Best is also expected to miss six weeks after suffering a fractured cheekbone early in the game and will undergo surgery tomorrow.
Rob Kearney suffered cartilage damage to a knee and will undergo exploratory surgery this week to further determine the extent of the injury and the period of recovery that he will need, but is the Leinster fullback is certainly ruled out of the game against Argentina.
There are also a number of walking wounded among the ranks with Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll nursing a bruised shoulder, while his backline colleagues Tommy Bowe and Gordon D'Arcy picked up calf strains.
All three will undergo rest and rehabilitation on their injuries but at this point have not been ruled out of the game against Argentina. The IRFU medical team will give a further update on their condition on Tuesday.