Ireland star second-row Tadhg Beirne has been ruled out for the remainder of the Six Nations with an ankle injury.
Beirne will undergo surgery for the damage he suffered in his team’s stunning 32-19 win over title contenders France at the Aviva Stadium last weekend.
The win puts Ireland in pole position to go on and claim the Grand Slam whilst continuing to strengthen their hold at the top of the world.
Click Here: highlanders rugby jersey
Massive blow
However, the injury news to the second-row is a big blow for head coach Andy Farrell with Beirne playing some outstanding rugby in Ireland green over the last year.
The Irish Rugby Football Union confirmed the news on Thursday.
“Tadhg Beirne will undergo surgery today on the ankle injury he sustained in Saturday’s win over France,” read a tweet from the Irish Rugby Football Union.
“Unfortunately, Tadhg will be ruled out for up to 12 weeks.”
🚨 A massive blow for Ireland.
Wishing you a speedy recovery, Tadhg. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/zrgQq2v2Rn
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) February 16, 2023
The tweet confirms Farrell’s fears after the game. The coach will likely turn to Ulster skipper Iain Henderson who replaced Beirne during the France game.
Henderson starts for Ulster this weekend after originally being released to play for his club during the fallow week.
Ireland are dealing with a bit of an injury crisis with Rob Herring sustaining a head knock in the win over France, and is going through the Return to Player protocols. Captain Jonathan Sexton is managing a groin injury that forced him off the pitch, while Dan Sheehan is nursing a hamstring injury.
Props Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong continue to work their way through their respective rehab programmes in the squad along with centre Robbie Henshaw and scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park.
Farrell could also turn to Ryan Baird or Joe McCarthy but will be grateful his side’s clash against the Azzurri in Rome is next weekend.