O'Leary facing season on sidelines

London Irish scrum-half Tomas O’Leary is unlikely to play again this season because of a serious back problem.

The Aviva Premiership club announced today that 29-year-old O’Leary has undergone surgery to his lower back for what they describe as a “degenerative pre-existing injury” that has deteriorated this term.

In a statement, Irish said: “Tomas has been unavailable for selection since his last appearance for London Irish against Harlequins at Madejski Stadium on October 28.

“He now faces a four to six months lay-off.”

O’Leary, who has won 24 caps for Ireland, joined London Irish on a three-year contract at the start of this season.

He previously played for Munster and was selected to tour South Africa with the 2009 British and Irish Lions.

But he suffered a broken ankle while playing for Munster against the Scarlets just a month before the three-Test trip, and was then ruled out of the tour.