Ireland flanker Tommy O’Donnell will miss next month’s World Cup after suffering a dislocated hip in last weekend’s opening warm-up win against Wales, the Irish Rugby Football Union announced Monday.
The 28-year-old Munster forward, capped nine times by his country, was carried of in the second half after impressing during Ireland’s 35-21 win away to Wales at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
He then spent Saturday evening in hospital in the Welsh capital and underwent detailed observations.
The IRFU, confirming O’Donnell had been ruled out of the World Cup, said Monday: “Investigations at University Hospital Wales yesterday (Sunday) afternoon confirmed that Tommy suffered a hip dislocation in the game against Wales.
“He will be limited to non-weight bearing activity for at least six weeks and has unfortunately been ruled out of participating in RWC15 (Rugby World Cup).”
O’Donnell’s loss is a blow to an Ireland side, now ranked second in the world, who will continue their build-up to the World Cup with three more warm-up fixtures against Scotland, Wales and England.
Reigning Six Nations champions Ireland have been drawn in the same World Cup pool as France, Italy, Romania and Canada, with the top two teams from each of the four groups going through to the quarter-finals.
The IRFU also said Monday that Andrew Trimble will have “a precautionary scan” on the foot injury he suffered against Wales last weekend.