Joe Schmidt must hate this time of year.
He’s just six weeks or so out from getting his Six Nations campaign underway in a bid to win three championships in a row, and he’s seeing his key players struck down with injury.
Already Tommy Bowe is out, Mike Ross suffered a hamstring injury last week, and now there will be major fears for the health of Keith Earls.
The Limerick man lined up against Leinster tonight in the inter-provincial derby at Thomond Park, but was taken off the field five minutes before half time after suffering what looked like a sickening blow to his head when he collided with Leinster’s full back Zane Kirchner.
Earls of course has a history of concussion which will be a major worry, but he did give a thumbs up as he left the field which hopefully will indicate that the injury is not as serious as first feared as Munster lost 24-7.
Huge applause for @KEITHEARLS87 from a packed @thomondstadium #MunVLei @LucasAmorosino replaces the Limerick-man 35'
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) December 27, 2015
Seen @KEITHEARLS87 stretchered off way too many times!!! Horrible sight every time! Hope injury isnt too serious!
— Jean-Marié Stander (@JMNeethling) December 27, 2015
Really feel for @KEITHEARLS87 he really deserves a good run of games #MUNvLEIN
— Gordon D'Arcy (@Gordonwdarcy) December 27, 2015
Leinster prop Cian Healy also suffered a worrying injury as he limped off the pitch just over ten minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Head coach Leo Cullen revealed that Healy had twisted his knee but would need further examination to learn the full extent of the injury.
Hope it's nothing too serious for @ProperChurch #MunVLei https://t.co/YasfcLGMmp
— Orlagh Ennis (@OrlaghEComms) December 27, 2015
https://twitter.com/Linda_Marie89/status/681189114876657664
@leinsterrugby earnt that win from start to finish. Stand out player for me has to be @SeanOBrien1987. I hope @ProperChurch will be ok?
— Mariette Brown (@MazzyRugby11) December 27, 2015
