Ireland hooker Rory Best is a major doubt for next weekend’s World Cup quarter-final against Wales after sustaining a shoulder injury against Italy yesterday.
The Ulsterman sprained the AC joint in his shoulder during Ireland’s 36-6 win over the Azzurri in Dunedin, but will receive intensive treatment over the next week in an effort to get him fit for the clash against our Six Nations neighbours in Wellington next Saturday.
The potential loss of Best would be a massive blow for Ireland as the hooker has been in magnificent form in the tournament thus far.
The majority of his targets have been hit in the lineout, he has formed part of a formidable front row unit in the scrum and has also been prominent in the loose, even managing to cross over for a try against the USA in the pool opener last month.
Ireland have already been forced to call up a replacement hooker in Damien Varley after the departure of Jerry Flannery last month and if Best is unable to feature next weekend, Varley is likely to be amongst the replacements against Wales with the dynamic Sean Cronin set to fill the void in the front row.
Ireland will not consider calling up a replacement for Best until the extent of his injury becomes clear, but team manager Paul McNaughton admitted that it’s not looking particularly bright for the 29-year old at the moment.
“Rory’s doubtful for the weekend but we haven’t written him off just yet,” said McNaughton.
“We’ll assess it tomorrow and have more information then. He’s definitely doubtful.
“He’s getting manipulation at the moment. We’ll have a better idea tomorrow after a morning’s treatment.”
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