D'Arcy blow for Ireland

Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy has joined team mate Simon Zebo in being ruled out of the remainder of the Six Nations with a foot injury.

Leinster midfielder D'Arcy suffered the problem following a 12-6 defeat by England in Dublin on Sunday that scuppered Irish hopes of a Grand Slam.

And an Ireland statement on Friday confirmed that 33-year-old D'Arcy, capped 73 times by his country, would miss the rest of the tournament.

"D'Arcy was experiencing some discomfort in his right foot following the game against England," the statement explained.

"This failed to settle down before the Ireland training session on Thursday and following a scan yesterday [Thursday] afternoon it was confirmed that D'Arcy has a stress injury to a bone in his foot.

"The injury will require immobilisation in a boot for at least four weeks with a projected return to play of six weeks pending further tests and specialist review."

Immediately after the England match, Ireland coach Declan Kidney confirmed Munster wing Zebo, injured during the match, had been ruled out of the rest of the Six Nations with a broken bone in his right foot.

A gruelling encounter also left flyhalf Jonathan Sexton, who went off after half an hour, "doubtful" for Ireland's next Six Nations match, away to Scotland on February 24.

Star centre Brian O'Driscoll (right ankle) and lock Donnacha Ryan (back) were both due to see a specialist this week for further review, but neither man has been ruled out of the Scotland match at present.

Lock Mike McCarthy is doubtful for Murrayfield with a knee injury.

In addition to their injury problems, Ireland will be without Cian Healy for the matches against both Scotland and France after the prop forward was banned for three weeks on Wednesday for stamping on England's Dan Cole.

AFP