Jonathan Sexton sustained a hamstring injury during Racing Metro 92's Top 14 defeat to Oyonnax on Saturday.
In a situation possibly reminiscent of this juncture last year, when Ireland coach Joe Schmidt criticised the number of games Racing were forcing Ireland's premier outhalf to play, Sexton re-enters camp injured.
Reported by Racing coach Laurent Labit as a "tweak," the severity of the injury will be revealed this afternoon as the squad only returned to Carton House last night ahead of the South Africa test next Saturday.
Sexton did further damage to his hamstring against Australia last November but recovered to start against New Zealand. He was also knocked out tackling Mathieu Bastareaud during the Six Nations clinching victory against France.
Springbok outhalf cum fullback Johann Goosen also featured for Racing in the surprise 21-17 loss. Bakkies Botha and Bryan Habana, two more South Africans expected feature at the Aviva stadium, started Toulon’s 61-28 defeat of Grenoble.
Ruptured tendon
It should also be apparent today if Mike Ross’s groin has recovered enough to allow him resume training. With Nathan White forced out for 16 weeks, following a ruptured tendon in his upper arm, it seems imperative that Ross brings his 41 test match experience to Ireland’s scrum this weekend.
Both Stephen Archer and a try scoring Declan Fitzpatrick played 24 minutes at tighthead for Munster (who beat Cardiff 28-24) and Ulster (who beat the Dragons 23-6) on Saturday. Fitzpatrick is not in the Ireland squad as Rodney Ah You, who featured for Connacht on Friday, was capped on the summer tour of Argentina.
Another contender, Tadhg Furlong, was withdrawn from Leinster’s victory over Edinburgh on Friday after 66 minutes due to cramp.
The make-up of the Ireland backrow has also become clearer with Dominic Ryan primed to win his first cap against Georgia on Sunday week.
Georgia on his mind
“I chatting to Joe and he said realistically Georgia was the game he had in mind for me to play,” said Ryan. “Not promising anything as he can’t promise selection. (He said) go back to your province and play well, rest the week of the South Africa game and maybe get a chance against Georgia.”
That indicates Rhys Ruddock will fend off Robbie Diack and Tommy O'Donnell to make the bench behind the Six Nations winning backrow of Jamie Heaslip, Peter O'Mahony and, if fit, Chris Henry.
“You never know what could happen,” Ryan added. “Three backrow could get injured in training. I’ll be eager to impress in training. It’s not a case of switching off until the Georgia game, it’s a case of keeping your foot on the gas.”
Ryan's Leinster coach Matt O'Connor clearly agrees. "He'd have to be in contention, the way he's playing, that's the only way you can adjust selection. He is certainly knocking on the door.
“I would be very surprised if he is not in the mix for South Africa or certainly Georgia.”
Leinster confirmed that Ben Te’o will be out for up to six weeks after sustaining a fractured forearm on his debut against Edinburgh on Friday while secondrow Kane Douglas will follow the return to play protocols after getting concussed in the same match.
