Ireland rocked by huge double injury blow for the Six Nations
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Sidelined.
Ireland have been hit by a huge double injury blow ahead of the Six Nations with their front-row depth set to be really tested.
The scrum has been a real area of concern for Ireland in recent months, with South Africa absolutely demolishing their set-piece back in November.
And now Ireland look set to be without their two first-choice loosehead props for the entire Six Nations, with both Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy set for extended periods on the sideline.
“It’s phenomenal bad luck,” former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman said on the RTE Rugby Podcast this week.
“I think Paddy McCarty could be out for five or six months, that’s the rumour. Andrew Porter could be out for two months, three months.
“Certainly, my understanding is that they’re both going to miss the Six Nations, or Porter could potentially get back for the very end of it.”
Ireland will now likely turn to young Leinster prop Jack Boyle, as well as Munster’s Michael Milne, to fill the void next month.
“Obviously, you can go Michael Milne or Jack Boyle or potentially,” Jackman added.
“Would they be tempted to go for a Denis Buckley or Peter Dooley, just as emergency, for an experienced option, having a really experienced scrummager and loosehead for what’s obviously going to be an onslaught there.”
