Rugby:Felix Jones has been ruled out of the World Cup after a further scan on the leg injury he picked up during Saturday's defeat to France showed that the Munster full back has sustained damage to one of the stabilising ligaments in his foot.
Jones fell awkwardly after challenging for a high ball with French centre Aurelien Rougerie in the 70th minute and was taken from the field on a medical cart.
Ireland coach Declan Kidney confirmed on Saturday night that there was no broken bone involved but today’s scan showed up the injury to his foot.
Jones is due to see a specialist in the coming days to see if he will require surgery, but the IRFU confirmed that he will require six weeks of immobilisation in a bid to get back to full fitness.
“The squad and management are bitterly disappointed for Felix to suffer an injury at such a vital time in terms of selection for the final touring party,” said Ireland team manager Paul McNaughton.
“He had certainly put himself into contention over preseason and the games in the last three weeks. We all wish him a speedy recovery and that he is back playing as soon as possible.”
Jones had made a late run for inclusion in the 30-man panel for New Zealand, even though the French game was his first start in a Test. The 24-year-old former Seapoint clubman has had an horrendous run with injury, spending 10 months out after sustaining a serious neck injury against Connacht in December 2009.
Just three games into his return with Munster in September of last year he injured his knee and was ruled out until March this year.
Jones’s misfortune could open the door for Geordan Murphy to be named alongside Rob Kearney when Kidney announces his squad at 1.0pm on Monday. The Leicester player suffered his own World Cup injury nightmare, when he broke his leg in the final warm-up game against Scotland prior to the 2003 staging of the event.
Kidney may also decide that Keith Earls and Luke Fitzgerald would provide adequate cover, while also offering more versatility across the backline.
