Rhys Ruddock has been called into Ireland's World Cup squad following the news this morning that Peter O'Mahony will miss the rest of the tournament through injury. O'Mahony suffered knee ligament damage during Ireland's 24-9 win over France in Cardiff on Sunday.
Ireland, who were denied the services of Jared Payne after he suffered a broken foot ahead of the match at the Millennium Stadium, are also expected to lose Paul O'Connell for the remainder of the World Cup with a serious hamstring injury.
The staggering collateral damage from Sunday’s victory could see as many as three fresh faces join Ireland’s World Cup squad as injury replacements with Ruddock the first player drafted in.
O'Mahony was due to fly home on Monday afternoon, while O'Connell was awaiting merely the formalities of confirmation both his tournament and Test career were over. The Ireland captain O'Connell spent Sunday night in hospital with a "significant hamstring injury", with full-back Rob Kearney branding his impending departure a "monumental loss".
"Paul O'Connell appears to have suffered a significant hamstring injury and was hospitalised overnight. He's having scans later today to clarify the extent of the injury," team manager Mick Kearney said this morning. "Peter O'Mahony has suffered a knee ligament injury and is returning to Dublin today for specialist opinion and will take no further part in the tournament.
"Johnny Sexton suffered a groin injury, initial clinical assessment is encouraging and we await scanning later today. After an incredibly physical encounter a host of players are reporting bumps and soreness and will have to be managed, but nothing more serious than that.
“As soon as we have more clarity on the injury front we will be in a position to make decisions on replacement players. At the moment, definitively, only Peter O’Mahony has been ruled out.
“Paul was in hospital overnight and he was obviously very sore. In relation to Jared Payne’s replacement, that’s similar too. I’d be pretty sure that a decision would be made later today.
“The coaches did meet this morning and discuss a number of different options.”
Ireland could also receive further bad news ahead of their quarter-final with Argentina in Cardiff on Sunday. Sean O'Brien is expected to be cited for an apparent punch to the ribs on France lock Pascal Pape, and could therefore miss the last-eight Pumas battle.
