England's Simon Shaw could miss the RBS Six Nations after suffering an ankle injury during Wasps' Heineken Cup defeat by Munster.
No break but concern over second rower's ankle injury
England second row Simon Shaw could miss the entire RBS Six Nations after he suffered an ankle injury during Wasps' 19-3 Heineken Cup defeat by Munster.
After Shaw fell awkwardly beneath a pile of bodies early in the second half, play was stopped for several minutes while he was treated before eventually being carried off on a stretcher.
Shaw has sustained soft tissue damage and the prospect of him playing any part in the upcoming Six Nations apparently now seems remote.
A Wasps spokesperson said: "There was no break to the ankle but Simon sustained soft tissue damage.
"He is still in discomfort and will be out for several weeks."
The incident capped a miserable night at Thomond Park for the European Cup holders, with their opponents easing to victory in a tight match thanks to the boot of Ronan O'Gara, the home captain kicking 14 points and also setting up a late try for Denis Leamy.
But Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan reserved his ire for referee Nigel Owens and his decision to give Shaw a yellow card for not retreating 10 yards at a penalty.
The Scot said: "Simon's sin-binning was crucial but these are the things that you have to live with in big games.
"We were on the receiving end of some tough calls and in a marginal game it's the little things like that become huge.
"Some of those decisions in the first half, had they gone for us, might have swung the pendulum in our way."
Worthy winners
The defending champions therefore finished third in Pool Five following Clermont's triumph over Llanelli and McGeechan conceded that the 2006 champions were worthy winners.
He said: "We're disappointed. We said who missed out in this group would be unlucky because it was such a tough group.
"I think we played well throughout the group campaign but a couple of bonus points went begging.
"Clermont sending a second team to Munster was also quite instrumental in the outcome.
"We knew we'd have to get it 100% right tonight to win but the penalty count went against us and Munster kept all the ball.
"Munster kept their noses in front at key times and it was always going to be difficult against them.
"I think we had the stronger pack so I'm not sure the wet conditions favoured Munster.
"On the night we can't complain about Munster winning."
Meanwhile, Munster boss Declan Kidney hailed his side who have now reached the quarter-finals of the competition for 10 successive years.
He said: "This is a special day. To beat a team of Wasps' calibre by this score was very impressive.
"It speaks volumes for all the players and the decision making out on pitch.
"We managed to scrape a point out of every game we played in the group stage and that was very important to qualification.
"I'm very proud of the boys. When it comes to matches like this we have to punch above our weight and that's what we do."
