Irish hopes of a Six Nations Grand Slam were dealt a body blow today with the news that prop Reggie Corrigan is out for the rest of the tournament.
Irish hopes of a Six Nations Grand Slam were dealt a body blow today with the news that prop Reggie Corrigan is out for the rest of the tournament.
Corrigan broke his wrist in the 37-13 win over Italy at the Stadio Flaminio yesterday, Ireland's second victory of the campaign.
The Leinster captain suffered the injury just before half-time and hospital X-rays have confirmed the worst fears of the Ireland management.
He will be sidelined for between six and eight weeks - ruling him out of Ireland's remaining championship matches against France, Wales and England.
It is a desperate stroke of misfortune for the 32-year-old, who was recalled after a three-year absence following the retirement of Peter Clohessy and has managed to rekindle his international career.
He won his 20th cap against Italy, and his absence leaves a massive hole for coach Eddie O'Sullivan to fill.
Munster's Marcus Horan, who played the whole of the second half against the Italians, is set to fill in against the French at Lansdowne Road in Dublin on March 8th.
With veteran front-rower Paul Wallace still troubled by a shoulder injury, the selectors are likely to dip into the A team where the Ulster duo of Justin Fitzpatrick and the uncapped Simon Best could come into the reckoning.
Ireland are already without hooker Keith Wood with a long-term shoulder problem and went into the Italy game without three first-choice backs in Girvan Dempsey, Ronan O'Gara and Shane Horgan
PA