- Peter O’Mahony ruled out of quarter-final with knee ligament damage
- Captain Paul O’Connell and Jonny Sexton set for further scans
- Ireland faces Argentina in the final eight on Sunday
Flanker Peter O’Mahony will miss the rest Ireland’s Rugby World Cup campaign after scans revealed he has suffered knee ligament damage.
The 26-year-old munster back-row first received oxygen before being stretchered off towards the end of Sundays’ 24-9 win against France in the Pool D decider.
Team manager Mick Kearney said O’Mahony was “returning to Dublin for specialist opinion” and will take no further part.
Captain Paul O’Connell is having a scan on a “significant hamstring injury” that forced him off just before half-time. If he were ruled out it would mean his international career is over due to his impending move to French side Toulon.
There are also worries about fly-half Jonathan Sexton, although early signs have been “encouraging” on the groin injury he suffered. Ireland are therefore hopeful he will be able to play a part against Argentina in their quarter-final on Sunday.
“Paul O’Connell appears to have suffered a significant hamstring injury and was hospitalised overnight. He is having scans to clarify the extent of the injury,” added Kearney.
“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.
“Only Peter O’Mahony has definitely been ruled out. As soon as we have more clarity on the injury front we will be in a position to make decisions on replacement players.”