Murphy Has Ankle Operation

Munster and Ireland centre Barry Murphy has undergone a minor operation on his ankle, thus ruling him of Ireland’s World Cup preparations for the “next few weeks.”

Speaking at a press conference in Limerick today, Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan confirmed: “Barry Murphy has undergone a minor ankle operation. He had a serious fracture to that ankle last year. We found that he was having problems in training – we noticed that he was able to do better early in the week and then not as well as the volume built up and match time approaches.

“On closer examination it was found that a bony growth had developed in the ankle. These things can happen, so they thought the best thing is to get it removed.

“It was the sensible thing to do – it could be left and it would keep happening to him, that he would get worse as the week goes on. It’s a small operation and he will be out for a few weeks.”

While Leinster flanker Shane Jennings continues to be sidelined by a fractured thumb, O’Sullivan also issued an update on the fitness of Gordon D’Arcy, David Wallace and Ronan O’Gara, who have each sat out some training at this week’s camp in Limerick due to minor knocks.

“Gordon has a slight calf strain. We will give him a few more days but he is ready to go. David Wallace has a chronic ankle problem. It reared up again last week and we rested him this week, he stayed out of contact stuff.

“Ronan tweaked his knee recently. He’s been working hard all week and we will give him a few days’ rest now but he is okay.”