Wednesday Round-Up

End of road for Robin: Munster no.8 Robin Copeland will miss the remainder of the current season. after the Irish province confirmed their back rower would require surgery to repair damage to a troublesome shoulder injury. 27 year old Copeland met with specialists early on Monday, where the news was confirmed that Copeland’s game time this season would be cut drastically short. Having picked up the injury during Munster’s comprehensive December 26th victory over bitter rivals Leinster, the former Cardiff Blue has not featured in the famous red jersey since. With a World Cup looming large in less then 9 months, Copeland will now be hoping for a wildcard selection of sorts from Irish boss Joe Schmidt, should he hold aspirations of being involved in the showpiece event this time round. Elsewhere for Munster fans, there was some more positive news on the injury front regarding the duo of Andrew Smith and CJ Stander, both of whom are making good progress and should take part in full training by the week’s end. Still in the long-term injury room, Donnhca Ryan, Cian Bohane and Johne Murphy are all progressing along nicely, with no return foreseen for any of the trio in the immediate future.

Gray’s time up: Scottish medical staff have confirmed that giant second row forward Richie Gray will miss out on the remainder of the Six Nations tournament, after picking up an upper arm injury during his nation’s defeat at the hands of Wales. Gray, who currently plies his trade with the struggling Castres in the French Top 14, left the field midway through the second period at Murrayfield and headed straight for Spire Murrayfield Hospital, where x-rays confirmed the news. According to various reports emanating out of the Scottish camp, Gray could miss as much as three to four months of action, meaning he will indefinitely miss out on the remaining clashes with Italy, England and Ireland. The baton will now be passed onto Gray’s younger brother Jonny, to lead the Scottish pack over the gainline from the second row. Elsewhere on the injury front for Scotland, prop forward John Welsh will also miss the remainder of the tournament.

Ryan Sheady