Ireland's injury crisis deepens

Rugby – Injury News:Ireland's injury crisis has deepened ahead of the Six Nations campaign with Jamie Heaslip, Shane Horgan and John Hayes the latest names to be added to an ever-expanding list of walking wounded. All three have been ruled out of the curtain-raiser against Italy on Saturday week.

The trio’s absence is a further headache for coach Declan Kidney who also lost the services of Andrew Trimble within the last 24 hours after the winger broke a bone in his hand. Trimble picked up the injury when lining out for Ulster in their final Heineken Cup pool game against Aironi last weekend.

Heaslip’s ankle injury has kept the influential number eight out of Leinster’s impressive European campaign since Christmas and although Joe Schmidt’s side coped admirably in his absence with Sean O’Brien excelling at number eight, any team without Heaslip is a weakened one.

The Irish management are hopeful, however, of having Heaslip fit in time for the second Six Nations encounter when they host France at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, February 13th.

The prognosis is not so good for Horgan and Hayes with both expected to be out of action for at least the opening two games after they were replaced at half-time from their respective European wins for Leinster and Munster at the weekend.

Horgan’s knee injury adds further pressure on Ireland’s depleted back three resources with Tommy Bowe also suffering from a knee injury. The Ospreys winger saw a specialist in Chester today, while recognised fullbacks Rob Kearney and Geordan Murphy are already ruled out with injury.

Horgan has been in fine form for Leinster of late and given the backline crisis he was a genuine contender to start at Stadio Flaminio on Saturday week.

Hayes has been left out due to a groin injury, and although the veteran Munster tighthead was unlikely to start in Italy, he was still recognised as an important squad member.

To compound matters Kidney had already decided to travel without Tony Buckley, who was named in the Wolfhounds squad. That said, Buckley may now get the chance to shine with a call up to the senior squad as frontrow cover. Mike Ross and Tom Court are also in contention to start.

Stephen Ferris was at least able to provide one silver lining for the Irish medical team. The flanker visited a specialist yesterday, again to assess a knee injury, and has returned to the Ireland camp and should start against Italy.