Rugby:Ireland captain Paul O'Connell and scrumhalf Conor Murray will both miss the rest of the Six Nations after sustaining knee injuries during yesterday's 17-17 draw with France. O'Connell's injury, which could keep him out of action for up to six weeks, also makes him a real doubt for Munster's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Ulster on April 8th.
Ireland meet Scotland at Lansdowne Road on Saturday before rounding off their Six Nations campaign away to England on St Patrick’s Day. O’Connell’s absence means coach Declan Kidney will need to select a new captain – Brian O’Driscoll has missed the entire tournament as he recovers from a shoulder operation – with hooker Rory Best the likely candidate.
While Murray was stretchered off midway through the second half at the Stade de France, O’Connell had been able to complete the game but subsequent scans revealed damage to his medial collateral ligament. Murray’s injury is not believed to be as serious with the young number nine expected to be back by the end of the month.
“Paul O’Connell underwent a scan on his left knee after twisting it during the game,” the IRFU explained this evening. “The scan has shown that he has picked up an injury to his medial collateral ligament. The injury will rule him out of the next two (Six Nations) games with an expected three-six week recovery period.
“Conor Murray was replaced in the 59th minute after falling awkwardly on his right knee.
“A scan has revealed bone bruising in the joint and while there has been no significant damage done to his ligaments, the injury does rule him out of contention for the remaining two games of the championship with a expected three-four week recovery period.”
Munster scrumhalf Tomas O’Leary and Connacht forward Mike McCarthy have been called into the squad, who are due back in camp at Carton House later tonight, up as cover for the injuries.
Ireland, meanwhile, are back up to seventh in the latest world rankings on the back of yesterday’s performance. Kidney’s side climb ahead of Argentina while France drop one place to fourth in the standings.
World champions New Zealand are still number one, followed by Australia and South Africa. Next up are France, with Wales and England still ahead of Ireland.
