Connacht scrum half ruled out for three months with ankle injury

IRELAND’S stunning success over New Zealand in Dublin last Saturday has been tainted somewhat – form a Connacht perspective at least – by the news that Kieran Marmion aggravated an ankle injury which will keep him out of action for three months.

The scrum-half, along with Connacht clubmate Bundee Aki – was a star performer for Ireland last Saturday, and what makes his display all the more remarkable is the fact he put in a terrific one-hour shift while carrying an injury that he picked up in Connacht’s memorable win over Ulster at Ravenhill last month.

He aggravated the injury in the victory over Argentina last Saturday week, which also saw him leave the field just before the hour mark, but he was deemed fit to start against the All Blacks last Saturday, and he delivered arguably his best-ever performance as Ireland ran out 16-9 winners.

However, the ankle injury flared up, and Connacht confirmed on Tuesday that Marmion underwent surgery on his ankle on Wednesday, ruling him out of action until February, and leaving him a doubt for the start of Ireland’s defence of their Six Nations Grand Slam.

Of more immediate concern is the fact he will miss Connacht’s trip to South Africa for Pro14 fixtures with the Kings and the Cheetahs, beginning this Sunday against the former in the Nelson Mandela University’s Madibaz Stadium (1pm Irish time/3pm local time).

Aki is also an absentee as he has returned to New Zealand to marry his partner, Kayla, and the Irish centre is not expected to return to the Sportsground until mid-December.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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