This is the last article you can read this month
You can read more article this month
You can read more articles this month
Sorry your limit is up for this month
Reset on:
Please help support the Morning Star by subscribing here
Flanker CJ Stander is in a fight to be fit before the end of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign due to suspected facial fractures.
Ireland expect Stander to be sidelined “for up to four weeks” following the nasty-looking facial injury he sustained in Saturday’s 32-20 home loss to England.
Lock Devin Toner, wing Keith Earls and centre Garry Ringrose are all fitness doubts for Saturday’s trip to face Scotland at Murrayfield, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) confirmed in a statement.
British and Irish Lions star Stander will hope he is able to return in time for Ireland’s final two Six Nations matches, against France and Wales.
Stander’s absence is a blow to head coach Joe Schmidt, with the South Africa-born back-rower proving a physical mainstay across 29 Ireland caps since his 2016 debut.
A four-week lay-off could see Stander return for the Sunday March 10 home clash with France, with the final clash in Wales on March 16 another likely target.
