Knee injury rules Bowe out of French showdown
The Ospreys wing has been carrying the problem since Christmas.
It has already cost him his participation in the tournament opener against Italy and doubts surround his availability for the clash with Scotland at the end of the month.
The former Ulster back also sat out his club’s last Heineken Cup game against Toulon last month in an attempt to solve the issue although a subsequent trip to a specialist in Chester produced the welcome news that surgery was not required.
Shane Horgan will also miss out for a second week in succession and, with Rob Kearney and Geordan Murphy still on the casualty table, Declan Kidney will again be selecting his back three from a shallow pool.
There was some news for Kidney yesterday, however, with the return to the squad of Jamie Heaslip, Stephen Ferris and Andrew Trimble after their recent injury woes.
However it remains to be seen if any of that trio will be fit to start at the weekend.
Heaslip underwent more rehab work with Leinster yesterday and an IRFU statement last night revealed that his damaged ankle has made “some progress” and that he has not been ruled out of the tie against Marc Lievremont’s side.
“Jamie has been in and out last week doing rehab work and strength work,” said Leinster coach Joe Schmidt. “He looks in great shape, whether he can still run at Test level on that ankle, the Irish medics are the best to ask on that.”
Like Trimble’s hand and Ferris’ knee, Heaslip’s ankle will be monitored by the Irish medical staff before Kidney names his starting XV tomorrow lunchtime.
Thankfully, there was no further injury news to report after the win in Rome.
The Irish coach has also called another eight players into his squad for the week. Forwards Brett Wilkinson, Mick O’Driscoll, Donnacha Ryan, Mike McCarthy have been joined by backs Nevin Spence, Johne Murphy, Denis Hurley and Gavin Duffy.
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