Sport

Elwood doubtful for Scotland

ERIC ELWOOD is extremely doubtful for Ireland's match against Scotland in Murrayfield tomorrow week

By EDMUND VAN ESBECK
Fri Feb 21 1997 - 00:00

ERIC ELWOOD is extremely doubtful for Ireland's match against Scotland in Murrayfield tomorrow week. Elwood, who had to leave the field in the 26th minute against England because of a medial ligament injury in his right knee, is out of the Lansdowne side to meet Young Munster in the All Ireland League at Tom Clifford Park tomorrow.

Elwood has been having physiotherapy on the knee, but the injury has not responded sufficiently well to enable him to play tomorrow.

Lansdowne have moved Richard Governey from full back to outside half (the position in which he has played most of his rugby) to cover for Elwood. Governey played at outside half for the Ireland under 21 team in the win over England last week and for Leister at senior level this season. Governey's place at full back in the Lansdowne side will be taken by Declan Fassbender.

Elwood is one of four players who were on the Ireland side last week who will not be playing for their clubs tomorrow. Eric Miller is out for three weeks after being concussed against England, while flanker David Corkery and second row Jeremey Davidson are also out.

READ MORE

Corkery, who broke a bone in the third finger of his right hand three weeks ago against Wales, played last week with the finger heavily protected. He is still having some trouble from the injury, which is restricting his contact training, and he is out of the Bristol team to meet Bath in a crucial league tie tomorrow.

He is confident, however, that he will be fit for the international. "The finger is still a bit sore " he said last night "but is much better and the swelling has almost gone. It is not 100 per cent and I am not playing for Bristol tomorrow. There is really no point in taking a risk in aggravating the injury. I have spoken to both Brian Ashton and Pat Whelan and told them both that I expect to be fit for the match in Murrayfield, if chosen."

Davidson, who has been confined to bed because of bronchitis, is out of the London Irish team to meet Orrell.

The Ireland squad assembles in Limerick on Monday to prepare for the match.