Kilcoyne To Miss Six Nations And Rest Of Munster’s Season

Dave Kilcoyne will play no part in Ireland’s upcoming Guinness Six Nations campaign after undergoing surgery on the shoulder injury he sustained during Munster’s St. Stephen’s Day defeat to Leinster.

Kilcoyne was replaced by Jeremy Loughman just 18 minutes into the BKT United Rugby Championship derby match at Thomond Park. Edwin Edogbo and Diarmuid Barron were also injured on the night, adding to Munster’s already lengthy injury list.

A Munster injury update issued today confirmed that Kilcoyne has had to undergo surgery on his damaged shoulder and that he will be out for at least six months.

The Limerick-born prop played three games for Munster since coming back from the Rugby World Cup. As back-up loosehead, he was sprung from the bench for Ireland’s pool wins over Tonga, South Africa and Scotland, and the quarter-final loss to New Zealand.

Kilcoyne won his 50th Ireland cap as a second half replacement against France last February. He finished last season as a Grand Slam winner and helped Munster to end their 12-year trophy-less spell by lifting the URC title in Cape Town.

However, he will miss the remainder of the province’s 2023/24 season, including this month’s crucial final two pool matches in the Investec Champions Cup.

Posting on Instagram after today’s surgery, Kilcoyne said: “Shoulder operation done and dusted. Laser focused now on rehab and getting back better than ever! Looking forward to 2024 and seeing all that it has to offer.”

Meanwhile, following their defeat to Connacht on New Year’s Day, Munster confirmed that Oli Jager is following the graduated return-to-play protocols, and Jack O’Donoghue (knee) will go for a scan and surgical opinion.

Hooker Eoghan Clarke was withdrawn from the matchday squad ahead of the Connacht game and is following the graduated return-to-play protocols.

Fineen Wycherley missed the interprovincial fixture in Galway due to his shoulder injury but is in line for a return to training shortly.

Academy lock Edogbo will undergo surgery on his Achilles tendon next week, while Barron (foot) is also due to undergo surgery next Monday. His return will be determined post-operation.

New Zealander Alex Nankivell is rehabilitating his ankle injury and his availability will be determined next week.

Patrick Campbell (shoulder), Peter O’Mahony (shoulder), Jean Kleyn (eye), Jack Daly (ankle), Liam Coombes (shoulder), Niall Scannell (groin), RG Snyman (chest/shoulder), Joey Carbery (wrist), Roman Salanoa (knee), Mike Haley (hip), and Cian Hurley (ankle/Achilles) are all continuing with their respective rehab programmes.