Kieran Marmion: Ireland scrum-half facing Six Nations fitness race

Last updated on .From the section Irish Rugbycomments16

Kieran Marmion applauds supporters after Ireland's win over New Zealand
Kieran Marmion won his 24th cap for Ireland in their win over New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium

Scrum-half Kieran Marmion is facing a battle to be fit for the start of Ireland's Six Nations title defence.

Marmion, 26, started Ireland's 16-9 win against New Zealand in Dublin but he was replaced in the 59th minute.

The Connacht player will have surgery this week on an ankle injury and the province say he will be out of action until February.

Grand Slam champions Ireland begin their 2019 Six Nations campaign against England on 2 February.

Marmion, who appeared to suffer an ankle injury against Argentina earlier this month, was one of seven players released from the Ireland camp on Monday and he will now miss the remainder of Connacht's European Challenge Cup pool games and the inter-provincial matches against Leinster, Ulster and Munster in late December and early January.

Flanker Sean O'Brien is also targeting a Six Nations return as he recovers from the broken arm he sustained against the Pumas.

Leinster's Luke McGrath and Ulster's John Cooney will compete for the starting scrum-half role in Ireland's final autumn international against the United States after Marmion had started the matches against Argentina and the All Blacks in the absence of first-choice number nine Conor Murray.

In a further blow to Connacht, prop Conan O'Donnell has had an operation on a hand injury and will be sidelined until next month while Eoin McKeon, Craig Ronaldson and Conor McKeon are long-term absentees.

Connacht head coach Andy Friend has taken a squad of 25 players to South Africa for their back-to-back Pro14 matches against Southern Kings and Cheetahs with fit-again Paul Boyle, Matt Healy and Peter McCabe all part of the travelling squad.

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16 comments

  • Comment posted by John Bartlett from London, at 16:15 20 Nov 2018

    The wonderful Irish players will have enough to overcome the USA

  • Comment posted by Finkelstein, at 18:39 20 Nov 2018

    Kieran Marmion: Ireland scrum-half facing Six Nations fitness race.

    Kieran Marmion had an excellent game against the All Blacks and did the basics very well including his kicking game. Luckily Ireland have a squad of riches and plenty of versatility to cover. Both Luke McGrath and John Cooney are admirable replacements. The good news is that Conor Murray is back in full training.

  • Comment posted by norfolk hawk, at 17:45 20 Nov 2018

    As understudy to the world's best No.9 Marmion tends to operate in Murray's shadow, but he is excellent and in the mould of the great Peter Stringer.
    He was on form against the AB's and made a huge contribution with his alertness and awareness. His absence will give Cooney the chance to show what he can do.
    There is very little to choose between Marmion, McGrath and Cooney IMO.

  • Comment posted by Addisons_a_monster, at 16:32 20 Nov 2018

    Shame he had a great game on Saturday

  • Comment posted by KB, at 09:08 21 Nov 2018

    @11. I think you mean since*

  • Comment posted by AndSleep, at 19:28 20 Nov 2018

    Ireland on the crest of a wave right now. Hard to see beyond another convincing win for the boys in green. The self-belief the team has is there for all to see right now. Actually quite jealous!

  • Comment posted by Ed the Ted, at 22:51 20 Nov 2018

    6 Finkelstein.

    Marmion had a good kicking game? I think you're being very kind.

    Look again at his box kicks - too low or too long. Take your pick. Gifting the ball to the ABs with very little challenge possible.

  • Comment posted by Don Keyzed 65, at 14:08 21 Nov 2018

    Although I am very much an England fan, I am also a realist and firmly believe that Ireland will win the 6 Nations (5/2 for the Grand Slam) . I wouldn't be surprised if they also won the World Cup @ 3/1 ish. Strength in depth is outstanding compared to everyone apart from the All Blacks. Tough to beat and fantastic in attack.

  • Comment posted by bob120, at 07:19 21 Nov 2018

    Marmion had a great game on Saturday, hope he makes a good recovery but looking forward to Cooney getting the chance to show how good he's been for Ulster! Great kicking and on field skills!

  • Comment posted by TtT-ier, at 00:55 21 Nov 2018

    Troll @ 2
    Rugby doesn't need gimmicks as it is a proper sport. Nor us it played at Wembley but it does sell out stadiums with ease.

  • Comment posted by FeIchmeister 5000, at 16:29 20 Nov 2018

    USA have put together a good run of results over the past year - albeit against lower tier opposition. It will be interesting to see if they can translate their good form into competitiveness against a top tier side

  • Comment posted by TARW, at 18:54 21 Nov 2018

    Well deserved gong for Rory Best, a bloody nuisance (with my Welsh hat on) But a great player for Ireland

  • Comment posted by Benno_18, at 11:52 21 Nov 2018

    @11. The_Timalloys Damn I also missed *Your which you also misspelt. That's 3 !

  • Comment posted by Benno_18, at 11:48 21 Nov 2018

    @11. The_Timalloys I think you will find Northern Ireland has a far better educational system than the rest of the UK and the stats prove that. But this is a rugby HYS.

    And very ironically i think you meant *We instead of *With? I also think you meant *Since instead of *Sine? Wow... "Lack of education" and all that

  • Comment posted by The_Timalloys, at 08:57 21 Nov 2018

    @ 9. Posted by TtT-ier

    i think you mean is*

    You Irelanders and lack of education lol

    Can't wait until with kick you butts with our running game. It'll be the greatest victory sine '76!

  • Comment posted by The_Timalloys, at 16:26 20 Nov 2018

    NFL is so much more fun, you guys don't have cheer leaders, hotdogs or even tshirt cannons.

    No wonder NFL sells out Wemberly, your rugby team never sells it out!

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