Irish injuries mounting as Pumas loom
Leinster backs Luke Fitzgerald and Rob Kearney have both been ruled out of Ireland’s final November international against Argentina.
The pair suffered knee injuries during a 38-18 loss to New Zealand at Lansdowne Road at the weekend and will now miss the match against the Pumas at the Dublin ground on Sunday, November 28.
Fitzgerald is expected to be out for six weeks but, unlike the wing, no date has yet been set for fullback Kearney’s return.
Elsewhere behind the scrum, Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll has a bruised shoulder with fellow centre Gordon D’Arcy and wing Tommy Bowe both sustaining calf strains against the All Blacks.
“All three will undergo rest and rehabilitation on their injuries but at this point have not been ruled out against Argentina,” an Ireland team statement said.
Even so, Ireland coach Declan Kidney must now contemplate the possibility of having to field an entirely new threequarter line, outside of his halfbacks, come the Argentina match.
Up front, Ulster hooker Rory Best is definitely sidelined after fracturing a cheekbone against New Zealand – an injury that could keep him out of action for up to six weeks.
Fitzgerald’s injury is a particularly cruel blow as he only made his return to the Test scene a fortnight ago, during a 21-23 home defeat by world champions South Africa after a year out with a knee problem.
“Luke suffered a medial ligament injury to his left knee [against New Zealand],” Ireland’s statement added.
“The damage is to the same knee that he injured last November, but this is a new injury and to a different part of the knee.
“Rob Kearney also injured his knee and has suffered cartilage damage.
“He will undergo exploratory surgery this week to further determine the extent of the injury and the period of recovery that he will need, but is certainly ruled out of the game against Argentina.”
The Pumas will arrive at Lansdowne Road on the back of a narrow 15-9 defeat by Six Nations ‘grand slam’ champions France in Montpellier on Saturday.
