Ireland's troubles deepened yesterday when Cian Healy was almost certainly ruled out of their forthcoming RBS 6 Nations trip to face Scotland at Murrayfield, having been banned for three weeks for stamping on an opponent's leg during Sunday's loss to England in Dublin.
The Leinster loosehead prop has the right to appeal but, if he decided not to do so or is unsuccessful, he will be out of action until March 10.
His absence will go a long way towards balancing the sides, since Scotland will be without first-choice tighthead prop Euan Murray, as he refuses to play on Sundays.
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