Fitzgerald and Kearney out for Argentina clash

THERE was mixed news for Ireland coach Declan Kidney last night as Luke Fitzgerald and Rob Kearney were ruled out of Sunday’s game against Argentina but Brian O’Driscoll remains in contention for selection.

Ireland captain O’Driscoll suffered a bruised shoulder in Saturday’s defeat to New Zealand and along with fellow centre Gordon D’Arcy and wing Tommy Bowe, (calf strains), has been prescribed rest and rehabilitation.

None has been ruled out for the Argentina game and a further update on them is expected tomorrow.

The news on Fitzgerald and Kearney is more serious. Fitzgerald will miss around six weeks after suffering medial ligament damage in his left knee. He injured the same knee in last November’s Test against Australia and only returned to action at the start of this season. However medics insist this latest setback is unrelated.

Kearney went into the New Zealand game with bruising on his knee following the South Africa Test a fortnight earlier but now has cartilage damage and will undergo exploratory surgery this week to determine the extent of the injury and assess the length of recovery required.

The Leinster duo join hooker Rory Best on the disabled list for next weekend’s final Test of the year. Ulster’s Best suffered a fractured cheekbone against the All Blacks and will undergo surgery today and is out for six weeks.