D'Arcy out of SA tour

Ireland centre Gordon D’Arcy has been ruled out of the rest of the tour of South Africa with a groin injury.

D’Arcy picked up the injury in the 31-17 defeat by the Springboks in Bloemfontein yesterday and will be out for two weeks.

He returns home tomorrow and will be replaced by Munster’s Shaun Payne.

D'Arcy, who had formed an impressive centre pairing with captain Brian O'Driscoll, was forced off the field half an hour into the Test.

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan said yesterday: “Gordon’s injury certainly didn’t help things for us.”

Losing D’Arcy is a major blow to the Irish who will be looking for their first Test victory in South Africa to square the series.

Ireland were outscored by four tries to one and generally outplayed by the Springboks.