Rugby:Rob Kearney is unlikely to play any part in this Six Nations campaign as he continues his rehabilitation from a long-term knee injury. The fullback had keyhole surgery this morning and, while the injury is thought to be progressing well, even the championship finale against England would appear an unrealistic target for his comeback.
The Irish management had hoped to have the 24-year-old back available at the start of March. But given his lack of game-time, and the fact he has only been able to undertake light training work up to this point, the England match on March 19th gives him just over a month in which to prove his fitness.
Instead, the Magners League clash with Newport on March 27th is a more likely option for his competitive return with Leinster due to play Munster the following weekend as they prepare for a Heineken Cup quarter-final meeting with Leicester on April 9th.
Kearney underwent an arthroscopy procedure this morning with the results said to be positive. “The procedure was a scheduled one to check the injury was healing correctly, and all the indications are that it is doing so,” explained an IRFU spokesman.
Kearney himself announced the operation on his Twitter account last night, saying: “Hopefully get good news and be given the all clear to get back on the field again, Fingers n toes crossed!”
The British and Irish Lion has not played any rugby since picking up the injury against New Zealand last November. While his absence hasn’t been so keenly felt at Leinster, where Isa Nacewa continues to excel, Declan Kidney would dearly love to have him at his disposal.
With Geordan Murphy also missing with a season-ending ankle injury, Luke Fitzgerald has been handed the opportunity to mind the shop at international level. And while the converted wing has impressed coming forward, he has often looked suspect under the sort of aerial bombardment that Kearney relishes.
* George Clancy will take control of the potential Six Nations decider between England and France on Satruday week after New Zealand’s Steve Walsh was ruled out through injury.
The Irish official, who took charge of Wales’ win over Scotland last weekend, will step in after Walsh withdrew to concentrate on his rehabilitation from a knee cartilage injury. Barring any setbacks, Walsh will replace Ireland’s Alain Rolland for the Scotland v Italy fixture at Murrayfield on March 19th.
