Headaches mount for Kidney

Ireland’s problems at tighthead prop and the lack of strength in depth in other sectors have long since exercised the mind but rarely has there been a shortage quite like that at 15 ahead of next month’s international window.

It was confirmed at yesterday’s squad announcement that Rob Kearney’s surgery will leave him unavailable for eight to 10 weeks and so he will join Luke Fitzgerald and Gavin Duffy on the sidelines when South Africa, Fiji and Argentina provide the opposition.

With Geordan Murphy having retired from international duty — and injured, in any case — and Felix Jones and Keith Earls currently at less than 100%, Declan Kidney will be hoping his options improve drastically before the first game on November 10.