O’Connell Ruled Out Of Italian Game
It has been confirmed that Ireland lock Paul O’Connell has been ruled out of next Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations match against Italy due to a fractured thumb in his right hand.
O’Connell, who captained Ireland against France last month in Brian O’Driscoll’s absence, will see a specialist tomorrow morning to determine if the injury requires surgery on the hand and also the lengthy of recovery time needed.
Meanwhile, Marcus Horan will continue with his rehabilitation and at this point, is not ruled out of contention for the Italian game. The Munster prop sustained a calf strain on Friday, which ruled him out of the win over Scotland with his place at loosehead going to Ulster skipper Simon Best.
Scrum half Isaac Boss is still recovering from his recent shoulder injury and he is definitely not in the running to make the squad for Ireland’s final fixture of this year’s Six Nations.