Ireland full-back Rob Kearney's Six Nations in doubt

Published on Thursday 18 February 2010 23:27

IRELAND full-back Rob Kearney may have played his last match in the 2010 RBS Six Nations after being ruled out for between three to five weeks with a knee injury.

Kearney limped off in the 33rd minute of Saturday's 33-10 defeat by France in Paris after sustaining a strain to the medial ligament in his right leg. The 23-year-old British and Irish Lion will definitely miss the Test against England a week tomorrow but could return to face Wales on 13 March if he makes a rapid recovery.

The worst-case scenario would see him miss the remainder of the tournament, including the finale against Scotland at Croke Park.

Ireland have not yet decided whether to appeal after Jerry Flannery was suspended for six weeks for kicking France winger Alexis Palisson.

Meanwhile, hooker Gareth Williams has become the third forward who started Wales' thrilling victory over Scotland last Saturday to be ruled out of next week's clash against France. Williams, who has a knee ligament injury, follows flanker Andy Powell and lock Alun-Wyn Jones on to the sidelines.

Powell was dropped from Wales' Six Nations squad earlier this week after being charged with drink-driving, while Jones underwent an elbow operation on Wednesday.

&#149 England winger Paul Sackey will join Jonny Wilkinson at Toulon next season after signing a two-year deal with the ambitious French club.