Declan Kidney may be forced into playing Luke Fitzgerald at fullback throughout the Six Nations as Geordan Murphy and Rob Kearney, two of his frontliners for the number 15 jersey, are fighting against injury.
Murphy was stretchered off in the final minutes of Leicester Tigers' 27-16 win over Northampton on Friday night. The Kildare native appeared to grab his right knee after desperately defending his try-line. But Tigers coach Richard Cockerill post match confirmed that the injury was to his captain's ankle:
"He's gone over on his ankle -We are hoping for the best but it's too early to say the extent of his injury" Said Cockerill.
Rob Kearney meanwhile, is continuing his rehabilitation and hopes to be fit for the after suffering a knee injury against New Zealand. But Leinster coach Joe Schmidt remained cautious about issuing a return date for Kearney, telling the Sun:
"I am not sure if he will make the Six Nations, we'll have to wait and see, but I can tell you he's making really good progress,"
With the rule changes enforced over the past 12 months, a kicking and catching fullback like Kearney, has become a less valuable commodity. The need for a custodian with more subtle ball skills and the ability to pick clever lines ensured Murphy, 32, was moved back up the pecking order.
Rumours emerging today suggest that the Leicester captain has dislocated the right ankle, an injury which would keep him out for the entire Six Nations campaign and possibly the rest of the season.
In 2003, the Newbridge College man suffered injury heartbreak, breaking his leg in a World Cup warm up against Scotland. Girvan Dempsey filled the jersey with distinction in that tournament and Murphy struggled to displace him from then on. If injury were to rob him of a second world cup then it would be a tragedy for one of the men who moulded the rejuvenation of Irish rugby.
Should Kidney also be deprived of Kearney then Fitzgerald will be first choice having stated that fullback is his favoured position. However, after an injury ravaged year of his own, Ireland will need a plan B for the Blackrock College man.
Kidney will no doubt have his own inimitable back up plans but some options for Fitzgerald's understudy are: Keith Earls, who along with Fitzgerald is one of the most exciting talents on the island. The Limerick man can play adeptly anywhere in the backline but has found his home at outside centre with Munster.
Another centre, Gordon D'Arcy played fullback in his schooldays with Clongowes Wood and in the early part of his career was a utility back until Eddie O'Sullivan found his best position alongside Brian O'Driscoll.
Johne Murphy, a natural winger and the former Leicester teammate of Geordan Murphy he often deputises with good effect at fullback. In terms of a specialist fullback Kidney may revert to Connacht's Gavin Duffy. The 29 year old has 10 caps and is an accomplished footballer, but is also out with a knee injury at present and his absence could pave the way for teammates Ian Keatley (converted from fly-half to full back) or Cillian Willis (wing) to earn a place in the squad.
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