Ireland's record tryscorer Denis Hickie may be on his way home from Australia following an injury sustained in this morning's Pool A decider against the hosts and world champions.
According to reports this evening Hickie has torn a ligament in his ankle and will take no further part in the showpiece down under.
Hickie was withdrawn from today's game at halftime and was replaced by John Kelly but it was initially believed to have been a precautionary measure with a view to saving the St Mary's man for the quarter-final against France.
Ulster's Tyrone Howe, Leinster's Gordon D'arcy and Justin Bishop of London Irish are the three possible replacements for the Leinster winger.
A press conference has been called for 1 p.m Melbourne time tomorrow to confirm Hickie's replacement.