Ireland v England, Six Nations, Lansdowne Road, March 19
Ireland lose O'Leary to eye injury
ESPNscrum Staff
March 15, 2011
Ireland scrum-half Tomas O'Leary breaks from a ruck, Ireland v France, Six Nations, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, February 13, 2011
Ireland scrum-half Tomas O'Leary has been ruled out of this weekend's meeting with England © Getty Images
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Munster scrum-half Tomas O'Leary has been ruled out of Ireland's Six Nations clash with England on Saturday after sustaining an eye injury.

O'Leary, who was in contention for the scrum-half duties following a head knock to Eoin Reddan, was the victim of a freak accident in training and will now be sidelined for two to three weeks.

The 27-year-old, who missed the last two rounds of the Six Nations because of a back injury, incurred the damage during a supplementary fitness session on Tuesday.

A statement released by the IRFU read: "O'Leary was undergoing speed training with a sled when one of the straps failed, recoiled and struck him in the left eye.

"This caused a bleed within the eye which affected his vision. The bleeding has now stabilised and following an ophthalmology review it is anticipated that this will continue to improve.

"The situation will be reviewed on Friday and the current estimation is that O'Leary will be at least 2-3 weeks out of training while the condition settles."

Reddan's availability to face England is yet to be determined, with the Leinster No.9 still feeling the effects after being concussed during the opening minute of Saturday's 19-13 defeat by Wales in Cardiff.

He was struck by a clearance from Lee Byrne only seconds into the match and will see a neurologist this week to assess when he is able to return.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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