Jamie Heaslip pays heavy price for Pascal Pape’s brutal challenge

The full extent of the damage caused to Jamie Heaslip’s back by Pascal Papé’s knee on Saturday was revealed last night when the Ireland camp revealed the No.8 has been ruled out for a month.

The news that Heaslip suffered fractures to parts of three vertebrae during the 52nd-minute act of foul play by the France lock came on the day Papé was cited by the independent citing commissioner, Italy’s Stefano Marrama.

The player only received a yellow card from referee Wayne Barnes after consulting his Television Match Official when assistant Nigel Owens called his attention to the incident which occurred a during a maul. Barnes determined the act had been intentional, telling Papé his actions had been “deliberate”, although France coach Philippe Saint-Andre said he believed it was unintentional.

Either way, it leaves Ireland without their first-choice No.8 for the March 1 showdown with England at the Aviva Stadium and the trip to Wales 13 days later, when Jordi Murphy will be the front runner to replace his Leinster back row colleague, as he did in the opening game in Italy.

The national team management are hopeful, though, that Heaslip will be back in time for the final round of the RBS 6 Nations, when Joe Schmidt’s side have to go to Scotland on March 21.

Heaslip had been in obvious discomfort following the contact by Papé’s knee which led to his withdrawal soon after but he is already feeling more comfortable, according to an Irish medical bulletin issued last night.

“Scans have revealed fractures of the transverse process of three vertebrae in Jamie’s back,” the IRFU bulletin read, the ‘transverse process’ referring to a piece of bone which protrudes from the side of a vertebra for the attachment of ligaments or muscles.

“Although this injury causes a good deal of discomfort it does not impact on the structural integrity of the spine, and once healed should pose no long-term issues. Typically this injury is treated akin to a soft tissue injury; according to symptoms... It is hoped that he will be available to play again in approximately four weeks.”

Papé could get at least as much of a ban if his appearance before an independent disciplinary panel later this week does not go the way of the Stade Francais lock. He will answer a charge under Law 10.4(a) Punching or striking — “A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knee(s)”.

The only other player mentioned in the bulletin was loose-head prop James Cronin, now back in Munster rehabilitating a knee injury suffered against Italy which required “a minor knee procedure last week”.

No timescale was put on a return to action for the front rower, who has been hampered by injury throughout this season.

Meanwhile Bath have announced that former Ireland and Munster scrum-half Peter Stringer will leave the club at the end of this season.

Stringer, who won 98 caps for Ireland, joined Bath just over two years ago.

“Peter has been a fantastic servant for Bath,” the club’s head coach Mike Ford said.

“His experience has been invaluable over the last two years, particularly in helping our younger players develop, and we will miss his professionalism around the squad.

“It’s a shame we are unable to keep Peter, but with Niko Matawalu joining, Chris Cook re-signing and Will Homer coming through from the academy, this has become an incredibly competitive position within the squad.”

Stringer, 37, added: “I am, of course, disappointed not to be staying at Bath, but I am very much looking forward to the next chapter elsewhere.”