Ireland wait on D'Arcy

Centre facing race against time to be fit

Last updated: 15th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ireland wait on D'Arcy

D'Arcy: Bruising above his left knee

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Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy could still play in the RBS Six Nations clash against Scotland next Saturday.

D'Arcy was forced off during the forced half of the 27-12 victory over Wales on Saturday after injuring his left knee.

However the injury is not as bad as initially feared, with D'Arcy having suffered deep bruising above the knee - with the Irish medical team now monitoring his progress ahead of the Triple Crown clash.

Should D'Arcy failed to recover then winger Keith Earls, who scored two tries after moving into midfield, will be in the mix to start.

Ireland, who are chasing their fifth Triple Crown in seven seasons, also expect Dacid Wallace to be fit to play - with the flanker having received an accidental scratch to his eye during the Wales game.

The match will be Ireland's last at Croke Park after spending the past four seasons at their temporary.

Challenges

And coach Declan Kidney has warned his players to be wary of the Scots spoiling the party.

"For us Saturday is a final. Being a bit older than the players I came through two decades when we never won anything," he said.

"We're playing Scotland next week in a one-off Test match which we see as a final.

"The GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) have been hugely supportive of us while we've been at Croke Park and maybe we can pay them due respect by playing our last match here as if it's a final.

"The Scots are known for ruining Irish parties and they'll want to do that once more.

"The great thing about the Six Nations is that no two games are ever alike and they all present different challenges."