As Louis van Gaal would say, it’s the law of Murphy.
When it comes to injuries and ill luck, Ireland’s 2016 Six Nations campaign must take some beating.
Not since the disastrous 2013 season, when Peter O’Mahony finished on the wing against Italy, Brian O’Driscoll was sin-binned for stamping and Ireland finished fifth, have the cards misaligned so badly.
Ireland already have 15 players injured or doubtful for the remainder of a campaign that began with a draw with Wales and a French defeat.
This afternoon, as his team trained at Mullingar RFC, Joe Schmidt admitted both Dave Kearney [shoulder] and Sean O’Brien [hamstring] are likely to miss the remainder of the championship. Mike McCarthy, who was badly concussed in Paris, may be out of action for the rest of the season, according to the Irish coach.
There was another worry for Schmidt, before the hour-long session, as star out-half Johnny Sexton rolled his ankle and was forced to sit out the session. He took a light part in prep drills but was on the sidelines as the heavy hitting and set plays began.
Schmidt told reporters that Sexton could have trained, at a push, but the decision was made to rest him up. He is expected to train next Monday at Carton House.
Sexton was withdrawn near the end of Ireland’s 10-9 loss to France after Schmidt admitted he had been ‘knocked about’.
Munster winger Simon Zebo, who sat out that game with a knee complaint, also missed training.
