Kilcoyne to miss rest of Investec Champions Cup after undergoing shoulder surgery

Published 05/01/2024 at 17:36 GMT

Ireland international and Munster’s Dave Kilcoyne has been ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on a shoulder injury he picked up against Leinster. The prop, who has been capped 56 times for his nation, joins Munster’s growing injury list ahead of the resumption of the Investec Champions Cup. Munster take on Toulon in the penultimate round of the group phase on January 13.Dave Kilcoyne of Munster leaves the pitch with an injury during the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park in Limerick.

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Ireland and Munster prop Dave Kilcoyne will miss the rest of the Investec Champions Cup and the upcoming Six Nations after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Munster confirmed the 35-year-old would be out of action for at least six months after picking up a knock during a 9-3 defeat to rivals Leinster in the United Rugby Championship.

Kilcoyne has earned 56 caps for Ireland and featured four times off the bench during last year’s World Cup.

Ireland are the defending champions having won the Grand Slam in 2023 and get their campaign underway against France on February 2.

“Following the Leinster game on St Stephen’s Day, Dave Kilcoyne has undergone surgery on his shoulder today and will be out for at least six months,” an update on the Munster website said.

Kilcoyne joins an injury list that continues to mount at Munster. As well as the 35-year-old, recent additions include Edwin Edogbo, who requires surgery on an achilles injury, and Diarmuid Barron, who is also set for surgery on his foot.

Jack O’Donoghue was taken off during the game against Connacht on New Year’s Day with a knee injury and is waiting to learn the extent of the damage, while Oli Jager and Eoghan Clarke are following the return-to-play protocols after suffering head knocks.

They join the likes of Patrick Campbell, Joey Carbery, Mike Haley and Liam Coombes, all of whom are still unavailable for selection in head coach Graham Rowntree’s backline.

Rowntree is also without Jean Kleyn, Jack Daly, Niall Scannell, Roman Salanoa and Cian Hurley.

Munster travel to Toulon next in the group stage of the Investec Champions Cup, which is live on TNT Sports.

Both sides are in need of a first victory in the penultimate round of the group phase to boost their hopes of advancing out of Pool 3 into the last 16.

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