Andy Farrell says Ireland are “devastated” to have misplaced veteran prop Cian Healy to injury ahead of the Rugby World Cup in France.
Healy has been overlooked of his nation’s 33-man squad and is going through up to 10 weeks on the sidelines due to a calf situation sustained in Saturday night’s 17-13 warm-up win over Samoa.
The 35-year-old – Ireland’s third most-capped participant with 125 appearances – was helped off the pitch by medical workers in Bayonne and was later pictured on crutches.
Munster loosehead Jeremy Loughman will fill the void, with head coach Farrell holding faint hope of Healy probably being match to function within the latter levels of the match.
“He’s simply had a scan as we acquired off the aircraft and he’ll be out for a spell of time that gained’t be proper, sadly, for Cian and for us, actually for the beginning of the competitors,” mentioned Farrell, talking in Dublin.
“We’ll see how his rehab goes throughout it, you’d by no means know in the direction of the again finish if he might be a alternative or not.
“It’s devastating, isn’t it? That’s sport, that’s life, that’s rugby. Cian’s sufficiently big and sufficiently old and skilled sufficient to be by way of these sort of issues earlier than.
“I keep in mind in 2013 on the Lions (tour) he acquired injured early and had to fly dwelling. He’s skilled one thing like this and understands that these items occur. He’s devastated as we’re for him.
“The prognosis is one thing between 5, six to 10 weeks. How that rehab carries on is one thing that we’ll hold a monitor of as we go.”
Healy’s absence was the headline information from Farrell’s choice, however was hardly a shock given he was nonetheless hobbling when boarding the aircraft to return to Dublin from Biarritz earlier on Sunday.
Captain Johnny Sexton says his Leinster team-mate will probably be missed.
“I solely simply discovered actually 5 minutes in the past,” mentioned Sexton. “He has been by way of ups and downs in his profession, he’s a really, very embellished participant, an amazing participant. We’re going to miss him.
“I’m gutted for him to miss this match. It has meant quite a bit to him in how he has ready for it and the way he has skilled.”
Ulster pair Jacob Stockdale and Tom Stewart, Connacht back-rower Cian Prendergast, Leinster fly-half Ciaran Frawley and uncapped Munster hooker Diarmuid Barron additionally failed to make the minimize.
However Dan Sheehan, Ronan Kelleher, Jack Conan, Dave Kilcoyne and Keith Earls have been picked, regardless of current injury points, with Farrell choosing a 18-15 cut up of forwards and backs.
Ireland start their marketing campaign on September 9 towards Romania in Bordeaux and in addition face Tonga, world champions South Africa and Scotland in Pool B.
“It’s clearly tough since you’re shattering any individual’s dream, however I’d hope that by way of all campaigns you don’t let dangerous information turn into a shock,” Farrell mentioned of reducing down his squad.
“We expect we’ve got a particularly gifted squad and I additionally really feel the stability is correct.
“We’re the fortunate ones that get to chase the dream for the broader group and the nation itself.
“If we are able to’t get excited for that and the primary recreation towards Romania, we’re within the improper job. I feel we’re in an amazing place, prepared to take this problem head on.”
