The knee injury Peter O’Mahony sustained at last year’s World Cup is turning out to be a right bollocks.
The Munster captain played 54 terrific for Ireland in their pool stage victory over France, last October, before his knee buckled.
Ireland were initially hopeful of the flanker featuring in the knock-out stages of the tournament but that was forlorn.
Once scans on O’Mahony’s knee were complete, significant ligament damage was confirmed. The last we heard from O’Mahony was in January, when he expressed doubts about appearing in the Six Nations.
O’Mahony’s goal was to help Munster in the closing stages of the season but that has now been knocked on the head.
Peter O'Mahony update: Foley said "we don't expect him wearing red this season". His return taking "a bit longer than what we'd expected".
— Sinéad Kissane (@sineadkissane) April 12, 2016
There is slightly better news when it comes to Munster’s second row. Lock Dave O’Callaghan is ready to return to training and Dave Foley’s ankle injury, meanwhile, is not as serious as suspected.
Munster play Connacht in the Guinness PRO12 on Saturday and the westerners have some fitness updates too.
Outhalf Jack Carty is back in contention but the news is not so good on Jake Heenan. The Kiwi openside’s ankle injury may see him out for the remainder of the season.