The man can’t catch a break this season.
Just back from injury after undergoing shoulder surgery in the summer, Garry Ringrose is now facing another six weeks on the treatment table.
The centre suffered an ankle injury in Leinster’s demolition of Ulster during the final inter-pro weekend and could be out until the end of February, as reported by Des Berry in the Independent.
That rules him out of the crucial Six Nations opener in Paris when Ireland travel to France for their first of just two away games in this campaign – the second being the final day St. Patrick’s Day clash with England.
Ringrose, who appeared on The Hard Yards rugby podcast last month, had been working his way back to his fleet-footed best having played against each of Exeter, Connacht and Ulster but is now going to sit out what looks like at least two of Ireland’s Six Nations games.
That Garry Ringrose injury in the Ulster game looked painful enough. He's facing 5 or 6 weeks out now. Real shame.
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) January 9, 2018
The tournament is back on February 3 and the fixtures will roll out over six weeks but Ringrose will be targeting a return for the home clash with Wales on February 24.
Saturday 3 February: France v Ireland
Saturday 10 February: Ireland v Italy
Saturday 24 February: Ireland v Wales
Saturday 10 March: Ireland v Scotland
Saturday 17 March: England v Ireland
The unfortunate news for Ringrose means that Schmidt is absolved of a selection headache in that position, at least for the first couple of games.
Connacht’s Bundee Aki is in line for a starting berth now for the Six Nations after physically imposing performances against South Africa and Argentina already worked him into the reckoning.
