SEAN CRONIN WILL miss Ireland’s upcoming Six Nations campaign after being ruled out for 10 weeks with what Leinster have described as a ‘significant’ hamstring injury.
The hooker pulled up shortly before the end of the province’s trouncing of Zebre a fortnight ago and further scans last week revealed the extent of the damage.
With Joe Schmidt’s side set to assemble at Carton House next week, Cronin now faces an extended period on the sidelines at the most unfortunate time of the season.
Ireland begin the championship against Scotland at Murrayfield on 4 February and Cronin’s return date isn’t expected to be until after the final game against England on 18 March.
“It’s quite a significant hamstring injury,” Stuart Lancaster said this afternoon.
“It’s a real shame for him as he’s actually playing great rugby but it’s a good opportunity for us to get him right and make sure we don’t get a recurrence of this because it must be hugely frustrating for him.
“He’s got himself into great form and now he’ll miss the Six Nations. He went to push-off and accelerate around the corner and saw it go. He’s deeply disappointed but he’ll be back a better player.”
Cronin’s unavailability will open the door for the likes of Niall Scannell, Dave Heffernan and James Tracy to push for a place in Schmidt’s squad behind captain Rory Best.
The 30-year-old could also be in a race against time to be fit for Leinster’s Champions Cup quarter-final tie, with the knock-out stages of that competition scheduled for the first weekend in April.
Meanwhile, the eastern province are confident of having Isa Nacewa and Robbie Henshaw fit for Friday’s trip to Castres despite both players picking up ‘bangs’ in the win over Montpellier.
Nacewa was withdrawn early in the second half last Friday with a dead leg while Henshaw felt tightness in his thigh. Both will be assessed as the week progresses.
Sean O’Brien does, however, remain a major doubt after missing the bonus point win over Montpellier at the RDS with a calf injury.
“We’re not worried about Isa or Robbie, they were more bangs,” Lancaster added.
“Seanie’s is a bit more residue from last week’s pull which hasn’t really settled down so he’s more of a concern for this week.
“Obviously make a decision later in the week but having said that Jack Conan, Jamie Heaslip and Josh van der Flier didn’t do too badly and Dan Leavy is a pretty good bench option for us.”
– First published 13.24
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Peter and ‘magic kelly’ if you don’t care about football or la liga then keep your opinion to yourself coz nobody cares what you think
I think the point is that the article was headlined as something of worldwide importance. Whereas it’s about a soccerball game in Spain.
Don’t think the whole world would bother their arses watching a chess game, this on the other hand……. Barca 3-1
Man the miseries are out tonight!
Hopefully it’ll be a cracker. I’m going for Real to win 2-1.
I actually fancy barca to raise their game for it. They have a capacity to do it, as with Inter group game in 2009 without Messi
Yeah, they definitely raise their game for Real. Considering I think they’ve beaten them 6 out of the last 7 or something to that effect.
Still, I’m feeling a Real win tonight.
Barca are 17/10. Rarely do you see odds like that on them to win a game of football. I fancy Madrid but you just don’t bet against Barca.
Well, I guess I have my answer.
We care????
Evidently, a lot of people do.
If you don’t care why bother opening the link you ignoramus? It is a match between the best two football teams in the world and I will be watching it, as will hundreds of millions of others the world over.
The headline was misleading. I only opened it it because it said the whole world would be watching, I thought it was a chess game or something….The whole world cares about a football game? My God, Ireland :(
I enjoy sport myself, but I wouldn’t put so much importance on a football game. I’m pretty sure that suggesting the ‘whole world’ is watching it is a gross exaggeration. That said, hope you enjoy the game :)
Get stuffed!
Don’t comment if it’s not your thing, bigoted tosser.
Keep up lad, El Clasicos been appointment TV for years at this stage
Dearie dearie me, Magic Kelly, you poor wee thing.
i think barca will win this game….prob 1-3 id say …
Nice! Ha.
Real 3-2. I do hope I’m wrong though.
Really starting to hate barca now. It’s as if the gods are wearing barca shirts. That second goal was painfully waxy
That’s true, but they could have stuck a few more away
How can you hate them? They’re the best team football has ever seen. They win, but more importantly, they win the right way.
does anyone care about spanish football baaaaaaaaaaaa
In the world of ‘soccerball’ or football as genuine fans call it, el Classico is of huge importance to us. If you don’t care about the game then move onto the next article without commenting and being such a dick
happy chrimbo one and all