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Facial surgery sidelines Ireland prospect for 4 to 6 weeks
By Ian Cameron
Ireland prospect Ciaran Frawley has been ruled out for four to six weeks after sustaining a nasty facial injury.
The Leinster centre picked up the injury against Edinburgh at the weekend. The 24-year-old has been in flying form for the European heavyweight, becoming a regular in Leo Cullen's midfield this season.
He was called in Andy Farrell's Autumn Nations Series squad last October but was absent from Ireland's Guinness Six Nations squad.
"Sadly, Ciarán Frawley sustained a facial injury in the first half against Edinburgh Rugby and had a procedure over the weekend. He will be unavailable for four to six weeks," a statement from Leinster confirmed.
Cullen welcomed back Cian Healy, Ryan Baird and Jordan Larmour this weekend as the trio are released from Ireland camp for the fixture. In other positive news, both Josh Murphy and Dave Kearney came through their returns from injury against Edinburgh without any issue, the province confirmed.
"Rhys Ruddock, ruled out before the win against the Scottish club, has a minor quad injury and will be further assessed this week before a decision is made on his availability.
"Jimmy O'Brien (calf) will also be further assessed this week while James Lowe is due to return to training."
Frawley won high praise from Ronan O'Gara recently, who was shocked that he hadn't made the Ireland squad.
“It’s very competitive. You might think it is easy to pick 37 but another name jumping straight out at me is Ciaran Frawley, who didn’t make the squad. For me, he is probably the nearest thing to an Aaron Mauger we have on this side of the hemisphere.
“He is so adept at playing either ten or twelve, that second receiver role. He looks so, so interesting as a player. He has the physical attributes to play a direct game and then his feet are excellent, his passing game is excellent, his recognition of space is very, very good and he seems to be a threat every time he plays. For him not to be among the best 17 backs is probably incredibly disappointing for him.”
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Latest Comments
Well said. All this rubbish circulating that Richie Mo’unga could not step up to international rugby. He was so dominant for the Crusaders in there 7 title wins . But had to put up with doubting Thomas fickle Foster. The AB’s limited game plan in that time was terrible. Richie Mo’unga is a wonderful 10.
Go to commentsHe does cover them but he's not as good as any of the other specialist backrowers in any of them. He's not as good an 8 as Conan or Doris, he's not as good a flanker as any of the flankers I've mentioned and he's not as good a hybrid as Earl (yet).
At the moment most of his involvements are ball in hand but lightweight test number 8s aren't really a thing and his jackal work isn't test standard yet. I wouldn't put it beyond Pollock to play his way into contention, if anyone could do it, he could but I don't see it personally. If the Lions tour were in 2 years absolutely he'd be there. If Earl gets injured it makes it a lot more likely. I reckon Pollock may get a mid-tour callup. I'm pretty confident he won't go on the first plane though.
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