Ireland are confident Garry Ringrose will only be sidelined for the short-term after a calf injury denied the centre the chance to win his 50th cap against Italy.
Ringrose was poised for a milestone appearance in Saturday’s Six Nations clash in Rome before being forced to withdraw on the eve of the game due to tightness in a leg muscle.
The setback for the 28-year-old came a day after head coach Andy Farrell touted him as a future Ireland captain, saying: “He’s in top form right now and only going to get better.” ℹ️ Team Update: Unfortunately Garry Ringrose has been ruled out of tomorrow’s game through injury.Stuart McCloskey comes into the starting team, with Jimmy O’Brien named on the bench. #TeamOfUs | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/UmureKBDnA — Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 24, 2023 He will be replaced by Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey at Stadio Olimpico, while Ringrose’s Leinster team-mate Jimmy O’Brien has been added to the bench.
Assistant coach Mike Catt suggested the flight from Dublin had exacerbated an existing problem. “Garry picked a bit of knock up on his calf last week,” he said following Ireland’s captain’s run in the Italian capital. “We’ve sort of managed it through the week and, unfortunately, I think due to the travel and everything yesterday, he’s woken up a little bit tight. “He’s obviously very, very disappointed because it was going to be his 50th cap.” Catt allayed fears about Ringrose potentially being absent later in the championship.