In today’s Six Shooter, Ireland are in a bad way but not as bad as France, while there was some sad news for a former England and Lions hooker.
A case of last man standing in the Irish camp
As if having our Grand Slam and Triple Crown dreams ended at the weekend wasn’t bad enough, there was more doom and gloom for Irish rugby supporters when the extent of the injury situation amongst Declan Kidney’s squad became apparent today.
Simon Zebo will play no further part in the tournament after suffering a broken bone in his foot in the early stages yesterday, while judging by the grimace on Jonathan Sexton’s face and the fact that he had to be helped from the fray after a hamstring injury, we would be amazed if he is fit to face the Scots in a fortnight.
Sexton and Zebo might not be the only ones absent from the Edinburgh encounter, with Sean O’Brien (injured hamstring and damaged thumb), Brian O’Driscoll (twisted ankle), Donnacha Ryan (back problem), Mike McCarthy (knee ligament damage) and Rob Kearney (dead leg) all bearing the scars of battle after a bruising affair at the Aviva.
Those on the injury list will have a few days rest to allow their aching bones to heal this week, but needless to say, the medical department will have their work cut out to ensure that even a selection of the players listed above are fit for Murrayfield on Sunday week.
We’d tell the players to keep their fingers crossed but such is the level of fragility in the Irish camp at the moment that they’d probably break a couple of bones while they were at it.
Mears forced into early retirement
Speaking of injuries, the wounds of the battle-weary Irish players pale in comparison to the predicament faced by former England and Lions prop Lee Mears, who today announced his retirement from rugby after an abnormality was discovered during a cardiac screening.
A one-club man, Mears made over 200 appearances in 15 years with Bath, won 42 caps with England and started the first test on the Lions Tour against South Africa in 2009.
Commenting on his decision, Mears said: “Bath is my club and I love it. This is not how I saw it ending but I feel enormously proud to have played for such a club so many times.
“This will be a tough period, but the memories I have and the friends I have made over the years will be of huge support. Thank you to the Club and to the supporters, I’ve loved every minute.”
Mears’ plight just goes to show how fickle life as a professional rugby player or a professional sportsman can be and we wish him all the best in his retirement.
L’Equipe pulling no punches in their attack on Les Bleus
The reaction to Ireland’s defeat to England has been one of mild disappointment and the criticism of Declan Kidney’s men timid at worst; or at least it’s timid in comparison to how the French media and rugby public greeted their insipid display in defeat to Wales in Paris on Saturday evening.
Thousands of supporters left the Stade de France early and others threw litter – we’re assuming it consisted mainly of baguettes drenched in red wine and wrapped up in stripey black and white t-shirts – onto the pitch, but if Philippe Saint-Andre thought that the reaction of the fourth estate would be more sympathetic to him and his players he had another thing coming.
‘Du Coq A Lane’ screamed the headline above a picture of the despondent French players on the front page of renowned French sports daily L’Equipe, a headline which translates roughly as ‘From cockerels to donkeys’.
Pic via Twitter/Huw Silk
Beat that, p*ssed off rugby commentators of Ireland.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
