Full-back options running out

IRELAND’S options at full-back, normally so abundant, are beginning to look threadbare ahead of the Six Nations with the likelihood that Geordan Murphy will sit out the opening encounter with Italy in Rome.

The Leicester back was stretchered off after 71 minutes of his club’s Premiership match against Northampton last Saturday after going over on an ankle and was due to undergo a scan on the damage yesterday.

The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate for Murphy — who has constantly struggled to secure a regular place in his country’s first 15 — given that Rob Kearney is already unavailable for the opening few rounds with a knee injury.