You can pick three Irish starting XVs from our current crop of injuries and still have one lad to mind the coats
The ever-increasing demands of professional rugby have taken their toll on each of the Irish provinces and the national team. According to Ulster team doctor, Michael Webb provinces usually operate with a 25% injury rate. At times this season, however, more than 40% of the Ulster squad have suffered with injuries.
A trawl of injury reports, updates and medical bulletins reveals that some 36 senior professionals are currently injured or undergoing rehabilitation programmes. 22 of that number have been capped for Ireland.
Andrew Trimble
The Ulster winger has missed the past three months with a toe injury.
Chris Henry
The openside flanker has no return date yet following heart surgery in December.
Cian Healy
Healy tore his hamstring off the bone in September but is on course for a Champions Cup return with Leinster.
Dave Kilcoyne
‘Killer’ is on his way back to fitness following a nasty shoulder injury.
Iain Henderson
A hip injury to the Ulster forward has curtailed any playing activity this month.
Donnacha Ryan
The Munster lock has not featured yet this season after a toe injury Anthony Foley described as “weird”.
Jamie Heaslip
Leinster’s captain left a game injured for the first time in four years, last weekend, but should be okay for Champions Cup duty.
Jared Payne
Limped off against South Africa on debut and has not played since.
Johnny Sexton
Stood down from playing after a third concussion in 12 months. Expected back in mid February.
Keith Earls
Another long road to recovery nearing an end after knee surgery four months ago.
Marty Moore
Set to return for Leinster this month after shoulder surgery had initially ruled him out until February.
Rhys Ruddock
Fractured a bone in his arm against Harlequins in December. Hopeful of playing a big part in the Six Nations.
Sean O’Brien
Underwent two shoulder surgeries in 10 months but nearing return.
Tommy Bowe
The Ulster winger took a knock to the head and suffered a dead leg against Leinster. May miss league duty this weekend but should feature in his team’s two remaining Champions Cup ties.
The other Irish internationals currently out include Robin Copeland, Eoin Reddan, Damien Varley, Mike Sherry, James Cronin and Ryan Caldwell, Kevin McLaughlin and Shane Jennings.
