O’Leary’s worst fears confirmed

O'Leary Injury: As feared, Tomas O'Leary's season is over after it was confirmed the Munster scrumhalf fractured his ankle last night. As a consequence, O'Leary will miss the remainder of Munster's European and Magners League campaigns and this summer's British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa.

O’Leary was stretchered off in obvious distress less than 10 minutes into yesterday’s win over Llanelli after a seemingly innocuous tangle. He was taken by ambulance straight to Cork University Hospital where x-rays revealed a fracture.

O’Leary is reported to have had an operation on the injury today and faces at least three months out of action.

"It goes without saying that we are very disappointed to lose a player of Tomas's stature at this crucial stage of the season, even more particularly so, from his own personal point of view, given that he had just been selected to tour with the Lions, and our thoughts are with him in that regard,” Munster coach Tony McGahan said today.

"However in immediate terms, in Tomas and Peter Stringer we are fortunate to have two of the best scrumhalves in the country in our squad and the experience of Mike Prendergast to call on when required."

While Munster can call upon Stringer for next weekend’s pivotal Heineken Cup semi-final against Leinster, the news will come as a devastating blow for O’Leary.

A key figure in Ireland’s Grand Slam success, he has gone from strength-to-strength this campaign and was on course to round of the season with another tilt at European glory and the once in a lifetime tour of South Africa.

Lions coach Ian McGeechan must now choose a replacement – with Dwayne Peel of Wales, England's Danny Care or Scotland captain Mike Blair the obvious frontrunners.

And he is prepared to bide his time before calling up cover for O’Leary and will use the next two weeks to assess his options.

“I won’t rush in naming a replacement. It was a phone call I didn’t want last night,” the Scot said today. “I’m obviously desperately disappointed for the player but we’ll take our time and keep our eye on things.

“I’m not looking to name a replacement for 10 to 14 days. There’s some rugby to watch and I’ll take my time.”