Big blow for veteran prop as injury puts international career in jeopardy

Munster prop Dave Kilcoyne has been ruled out of the upcoming Six Nations following a shoulder injury he has sustained. Now back at provincial side Munster, he underwent surgery on Thursday, and is expected to be out of action for “at least six months”.

The 35-year old, entering his 13th year of professional rugby, has been a regular member of the Irish national team for the majority of those years, but this recent injury could well spell the end for the talented prop.

Now entering the latter years of a rugby player’s career, Kilcoyne has found his time in national colours reduced to bench appearances, with younger and more agile forwards being preferred. To recover from a six month injury and regain an international spot in your mid-thirties is a task that very few would be able to undertake.

Kilcoyne has worked very hard in recent times, however, to return to the Irish side and secure his place – so we won’t be counting out the big man too early.