Rugby:Ireland are still counting the cost of yesterday's bruising 20-9 defeat to England after it emerged Cian Healy will not travel to New Zealand with the rest of the squad. The prop has not been ruled out of the tournament but will remain in Ireland for further treatment on a damaged eye socket.
Healy was in the wars for much of the afternoon, finally being called ashore after getting involved in a scuffle with two England players late in the second half. While the Irish management hope to have the Leinster man available for the pivotal clash with Australia on September 17th, he is considered a major doubt for the opener against the USA on September 11th.
The 23 year-old will not be on the plane when Ireland travel to their base in Queenstown on Tuesday but will join up with the squad at their base later in the week.
“Cian Healy had taken a knock to his eye during the game and following further investigation has shown an injury to his eye socket,” the IRFU announced. “Medical advice has dictated that Healy’s departure date for the tournament has been put back by four days, when he will then fly out to join up with the rest of the squad in New Zealand.
“The injury could rule Healy out of Ireland’s first game in the tournament against the USA.”
Shane Jennings has already been drafted into the travelling party to replace the desperately unfortunate David Wallace who suffered knee ligament damage yesterday. Jennings might have considered himself unfortunate to miss out on the original selection and gets the call after Wallace was ruled out of the tournament with an injury that requires surgery.
Speaking after yesterday’s game, coach Declan Kidney confirmed Wallace faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
“David took a very bad bang on the knee and while we don’t know the exact prognosis, he has unfortunately been ruled out of the World Cup,” Kidney told reporters. “David took the news like the man he is. There’s a word I’m not supposed to say in public, but it happens.
“You have to deal with these things. He’s 35 and I’ve never seen a man as physically fit as he is right now. It’s heartbreaking for him and his family. It’s extremely disappointing for us but will be good news for someone else. That’s the cut-throat nature of sport.”
