Peter O’Mahony is due to see consultant orthopaedic surgeon Ray Moran at the Santry Sports Clinic this week to evaluate his progress and establish a return date to competitive action following the cruciate knee ligament injury he sustained against France in last year’s World Cup.
The Munster and Ireland flanker was named in a 44-man Irish panel that will come together for a 24-hour camp at Johnstown House. The get together largely entails a series of meetings that may reflect a little on the Six Nations Championship but will look forward to Ireland's upcoming three test tour to South Africa in June.
Given the fact that the majority of the players will be in action for the respective provinces in Guinness Pro12 fixtures on Friday and Saturday, there is likely to be no pitch session at the national camp.
O’Mahony is a key member of Ireland’s leadership group and his reintegration into the national panel is important to bring him up to speed following his absence from the Six Nations tournament.
Munster coach Anthony Foley said on Tuesday that he didn’t expect O’Mahony to be available to the province this season and that September was a more likely comeback date. “Our physio is saying week 48, which is the Pro12 final week. So that’s him with no games, and that’s if everything’s going well.”
Foley admitted that the player had not accepted that he might not play again this season. Ray Moran will be the ultimate arbiter in consultation with the player but there is a suggestion that the medical prognosis on the injury is reasonably positive and barring any setbacks in rehabbing, O’Mahony may make the plane for South Africa; potentially a real fillip for the player and the team.
There should be nothing read in to the absence from the panel of Tommy Bowe and Luke Fitzgerald, both of whom are likely to be involved with their provinces following injury this weekend.
Bowe made his competitive comeback last week from a knee injury for the Ulster Ravens in their victory over a Munster A side in Naas, while Leinster confirmed that Fitzgerald is available for selection for Friday night’s visit of Edinburgh to the RDS.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt will be hoping that both players can accumulate plenty of injury-free, game time ahead of the South African tour. There are four uncapped players in the panel, Connacht wing Matt Healy, provincial teammate Quinn Roux and Leinster duo Luke McGrath and Garry Ringrose.
