ACL Surgery Sidelines Farrell For Rest Of Season
Following further consultation with the specialist, it has been confirmed that Munster centre Chris Farrell will take no further part in the province’s season after sustaining an ACL injury while training with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium yesterday.
Chris Farrell, who was named man-of-the-match on his Six Nations debut against Wales last Saturday, will undergo surgery before commencing his rehabilitation. He sustained the injury on the same Aviva Stadium pitch that he won his third Ireland cap on.
After yesterday’s Ireland open training session at IRFU HQ, a medical bulletin confirmed that Farrell ‘received treatment on the pitch after twisting his knee in the turf. He subsequently jogged on to rejoin the rest of the training group and felt well’.
The statement issued yesterday added: “He was sent for a precautionary scan this afternoon which indicated some ligament damage had occurred and he will now see a specialist. He is unlikely to be available for the remainder of the NatWest 6 Nations.”
It is a very cruel blow for the 24-year-old Tyrone man to be struck down with a serious injury just as he is hitting his stride with Munster and striking up a promising Ireland centre partnership with Connacht’s Bundee Aki.
Farrell’s provincial coach, Johann van Graan, was not surprised to see the former Ulster and Grenoble centre make a big impact for Ireland in his first Six Nations game. “I’d like to think that most of our guys are good communicators, but Chris is a good communicator and especially defending at 13,” said van Graan.
“I’ve never defended at 13, but most people know that that’s the most difficult position to defend. In terms of your 12, your inside, your wings and your full-back on the outside, whenever 13 is set and in a good position and is a good communicator it does make their roles a lot easier.
“I think, firstly, Ireland did something different from the kick-offs which brought his physicality into the game the way he chased. The most important thing for me is his decision-making. He seemed very confident in his role and every action, whether it was in the tackle or in defence, he seemed in control.”
Farrell has a 100% winning record in the green jersey having enjoyed Test victories over Fiji, Argentina and Wales this season, while his injury-shortened first year with Munster saw him make 13 appearances for the province and score tries against the Toyota Cheetahs, Glasgow Warriors and Racing 92.