LUKE FITZGERALD’S untimely injury, which has seen him miss Leinster’s last two Heineken Cup matches, will preclude him from selection for the Ireland Wolfhounds game against the English Saxons at Sandy Park, Exeter, on Saturday.
Fitzgerald, who has been in excellent form, picked up neck and glute injuries in a league game against Cardiff, problems that have kept him sidelined longer than anticipated. Ireland coach Declan Kidney will announce the 30-man Irish squad for the Six Nations next Monday.
Fitzgerald’s place in the Wolfhounds squad will be taken by Munster’s three-try hero on Saturday Simon Zebo. The Cork Constitution wing had been earmarked to train with the senior Ireland squad this week in Limerick as one of six young players to be afforded that experience but will instead join up with the shadow national side.
Ulster’s Craig Gilroy has been called into replace Zebo, while there were further alterations to the additional group of six players as prop Paddy McAllister (Ulster) and Andrew Conway (Leinster) withdrew because of injury. Their misfortune means an opportunity for Leinster prop Jack McGrath and his provincial team-mate, wing Fionn Carr.
Wales’ Six Nations training squad left for Poland last night to begin a six-day camp as they prepare for their opening fixture against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday week without Cardiff Blues and Lions prop Gethin Jenkins. He sustained a knee injury in his team’s Heineken Cup win over Racing Metro-92 on Sunday.
Jenkins hopes to travel to the Cetniewo Camp in Gdansk to meet up with his international colleagues later in the week.
Scarlets outhalf Rhys Priestland (knee) and Dragons backrow Dan Lydiate (ankle) also left the pitch during their respective European matches this weekend, but will train in Poland while managing their injuries.
According to a statement from the Welsh Rugby Union, Blues centre Jamie Roberts (knee) is progressing well and will also continue his rehabilitation on Eastern European soil.
Clermont fullback Lee Byrne, who left the field of play with a problem with his thumb at the weekend, has sustained no lasting damage and will take a full part in what will be a tough week.
Wales’ coach Warren Gatland is already without his first-choice secondrow pairing of Alun Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris, both of whom will miss the game against Ireland.
