Desperate news for the Leinster hooker who, at 33, is most likely competing at his last World Cup.
News has emerged from Japan that Sean Cronin’s World Cup is over.
The BBC is reporting that Cronin picked up an injury in training and that he is due to return home in the coming days.
Cronin’s place in the Ireland squad will be taken by Ulster hooker Rob Herring, who himself injured his back in a warm-up game against Italy. Herring is back playing for Ulster now and becomes the second injury call-up to head for Japan.
Rob Herring (with strapping around his head) pictured on Ireland’s 2018 tour of Australia. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)Jordi Murphy, Herring’s Ulster teammate, was called up a fortnight ago after Jack Conan fractured his foot two days before the pool stage loss to Japan.
Cronin was in line to deputise for starting hooker, and Ireland captain, Rory Best but Munster’s Niall Scannell is also in contention. On Thursday, Schmidt will name his match-day squad to play New Zealand in the World Cup quarter finals.
Even if he arrives in Tokyo promptly, it would be a gargantuan ask to pitch Herring straight into action this weekend.
Official conformation from the IRFU on Cronin’s fitness may not arrive for several hours as, as of publishing this post, it is nearing 10pm local time.
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