Ireland optimistic over quick return for Garry Ringrose after injury blow

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.

Grand Slam-chasing Ireland face a trip to title rivals Scotland in round four on March 12 followed by an Aviva Stadium finale against England six days later.

Asked if it was a longer-term injury, Catt replied: “No, definitely not.

“It literally just tightened