IRFU issue injury updates on CJ Stander and Keith Earls

MUNSTER number eight CJ Stander is expected to miss up to four weeks of Ireland’s 6 Nations campaign due to a facial injury, the IRFU confirmed this Monday.

Stander’s brother-in-law Ryk Neethling revealed that the Munster star suffered two fractures in his cheek and eye socket during the course of Ireland’s disappointing Guinness Six Nations defeat to England at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Twenty eight-year-old Stander is set to miss Ireland’s crucial trip to Edinburgh to face Scotland this weekend, while he is also rated doubtful for the Sunday, February 24 meeting with Italy in Rome.

The IRFU also confirmed on Monday that winger Keith Earls suffered a hip pointer injury against England on Saturday and will be managed across the early part of the week.

Earls was replaced at half-time as a result of the injury.

Ireland second-row Devin Toner aggravated an ankle injury, while Garry Ringrose reported some hamstring tightness both will be further assessed by the medical team over the next 24 hours.

Andrew Conway presented with some calf tightness following training last Thursday and will rehab in Munster this week.