Wallace facing six months out, D'Arcy departure delayed

Declan Kidney's injury woes increased today with news that Gordon D'Arcy's departure to New Zealand with the Ireland Rugby World Cup squad has been delayed by 48 hours.

It comes with the news that Ireland flanker David Wallace is facing a minimum of six months on the sidelines following his knee injury that ended his World Cup dream.

The 35-year-old flanker suffered serious ligament damage in a tackle by Manu Tuilagi during England’s 20-9 warm-up success at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

D'Arcy picked up a calf strain at a recovery session this morning prior to today's departure for New Zealand.

The injury was scanned and to minimise the possibility of any swelling on the flight, it has been decided that it is more prudent to allow the strain time to recover before he joins up with the Ireland squad in Queenstown.

Wallace underwent surgery on his injury in Dublin on Sunday night, with Leinster’s Shane Jennings being called in as his replacement in Declan Kidney’s squad.

And Munster, Wallace’s province, have confirmed in a statement on their website that he “is expected to be sidelined for at least six months”.

That diagnosis means Wallace may miss the entire pool stages of the Heineken Cup, which end in January, as well as a significant chunk of the RaboDirect PRO12 season.

Ireland team manager Paul McNaughton said: “Jamie Heaslip had a concussion but he is fine and ready to fly out. There is nothing else of concern to us at the moment.”

The Ireland squad are set to arrive at their base in Queenstown on Thursday.