D’Arcy Doubtful For Cardiff Clash

While Ireland sustained no fresh injuries in their disappointing 26-19 defeat by France, coach Eddie O’Sullivan has admitted Gordon D’Arcy is a major doubt for Saturday’s trip to Wales.

The 25-year-old – who has suffered from a hamstring injury ever since being withdrawn after 25 minutes of Ireland’s opening RBS Six Nations win over Italy last month – failed in his bid to make the French game, despite an hour-long outing for Leinster last Sunday.

However, with that crucial “5% still missing” because of his injury, O’Sullivan feels “it’s not looking good” for last season’s player of the tournament.

“I don’t think Gordon is going to make the Wales match the way things are going. There has been uncertainty over his injury for the last few weeks and it’s not looking good,” conceded O’Sullivan.

D’Arcy’s Leinster team mate Shane Horgan – who filled in for the injured Brian O’Driscoll against Scotland, and D’Arcy against England – was also ruled out of the French game with a fractured thumb.

His progress has been monitored and will be re-assessed ahead of Tuesday’s team announcement for the Millennium Stadium meeting with Mike Ruddock’s Wales.

Ulster’s Kevin Maggs proved an able deputy for the injured Leinster duo on Saturday – but the 68-cap centre will have been disappointed to not have had a bigger impact.