Ireland hit with World Cup injury blow

Ireland flanker Dan Leavy will miss this year's Rugby World Cup in Japan after he was ruled out of the rest of the season with a "complex" knee ligament injury, his club Leinster have said.

Leavy suffered the injury during Leinster's 21-18 Champions Cup quarter-final victory over Ulster on Saturday after coming off the bench in the second half.

"Leinster Rugby can confirm that Dan Leavy had an initial scan yesterday on a complex knee ligament injury but needs further assessment this week," the club said in a statement.

"He has been ruled out for the remainder of the season and into next season to include the Rugby World Cup."

 

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Struggling to put into words how devastated I am with the injury... ⁣ ⁣ Firstly to miss the business end of the season with my @leinsterrugby brothers and our opportunity to pursue another European and league title. Secondly, to miss an opportunity to play in a world cup in Japan is haunting my thoughts. All I have ever aimed for in my career is the opportunity to shine on the world stage for my country and do the nation and my family proud. I fully back the @irishrugby boys to make a little bit of history as they always do and will watch on as #1 supporter. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ I have been blown away by the messages of support and encouragement I've received already. I am blessed to have the family and friends I do and thank everyone for their well wishes! .⁣ ⁣ ⁣ Looking forward to starting the road to recovery soon... I will be back .⁣ ⁣ ⁣ DL⁣

A post shared by Dan Leavy (@danleafy) on Apr 1, 2019 at 9:04am PDT

Leavy, 24, won the last of his 11 caps against Argentina in November after missing last year's Six Nations with a calf injury.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt was already sweating over the fitness of flanker Josh van der Flier, who is out for the remainder of the season after undergoing groin surgery, but could return for the World Cup.

The Rugby World Cup kicks off on September 20 with Japan and Russia kicking off proceedings in Tokyo.