Rugby:Geordan Murphy's season is over after it emerged the Ireland international not only damaged ligaments but also broke a bone in his foot last weekend. Leicester have yet to confirm the news but expect to make a statement in the coming days.
Murphy was stretchered off towards the end of the Tigers win over Northampton on Saturday with early indications suggesting he had suffered a dislocated ankle. While that injury would have kept him on the sidelines for up to six weeks, a broken bone will take considerably longer to heal.
The 32-year-old visited specialists earlier in the week and underwent a number of scans on the injury. A spokesman for Leicester said they expect to announce details of the injury tomorrow.
The news adds to Declan Kidney’s problems ahead of the Six Nations. With Rob Kearney already ruled out, and Gavin Duffy struggling to recover from a knee injury, Kidney has precious little options at fullback.
Leinster’s Luke Fitzgerald is the obvious candidate to start in what he considers his favourite position but he has failed to nail down that role at provincial level with Isa Nacewa favoured by coach Joe Schmidt.
