Freak eye injury rules O’Leary out of finale

TOMÁS O’LEARY has been ruled out of Ireland’s Six Nations showdown with England on Saturday after sustaining an eye injury in a freak training accident yesterday.

The scrum-half was taking part in afternoon fitness session and undergoing speed training, pulling a sled when one of the straps failed, recoiled and struck him in the left eye.

“This caused a bleed within the eye which affected his vision,” an IRFU statement said. “The bleeding has now stabilised and following an ophthalmology review it is anticipated that this will continue to improve.

“The current estimation is that O’Leary will be at least two to three weeks out while the condition settles.”

With Eoin Reddan due to see a neurologist today as a result of his concussion against Wales at the weekend, Ireland have something of a crisis at scrum-half should the Leinster number nine be ruled out under the International Rugby Board’s “Return To Play” protocols.

Declan Kidney yesterday called Isaac Boss into his squad as he prepares to name his side to face Six Nations champions-elect England.

While Reddan was not ruled out of this weekend’s championship finale, team manager Paul McNaughton said the scrum-half was continuing to be monitored. “Eoin took a full part in (yesterday’s training) session, it was a non-contact session. He had a concussion so we’re going through the IRB process, which will mean he will see a neurologist to get the all clear or otherwise to play at the weekend,” McNaughton said.

“Everybody trained in the morning except David Wallace, who had a sore thumb, and Cian (Healy) who is a bit beaten up, but we’ve no real worries about those two as regards selection.”

Picture: Scrum-half Tomás O’Leary at Ireland squad training yesterday before suffering an eye injury in a freak accident. Picture: Inpho