D'Arcy will hope to be back in the Irish jersey come August © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

News: D'Arcy suffers World Cup setback

News: O'Gara vows to be fit for World Cup

News: Horgan suffers Rugby World Cup blow

Players/Officials: Declan Kidney | Gordon D'Arcy | Stephen Ferris | Brett Wilkinson

Tournaments/Tours: Rugby World Cup

Teams: Ireland

Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy has undergone surgery on an ankle injury but is expected to be fit for his side's Rugby World Cup warm-up matches in August.

The 31-year-old Leinster stalwart picked up the injury during his province's epic Heineken Cup Final victory over Northampton in May and went under the knife last week after failing to respond to treatment. D'Arcy, who won the last of his 57 Test caps against England in this year's Six Nations, will be sidelined until the start of August and will miss the clash with Scotland at Murrayfield on August 6 but should be available for the following games against France, home and away, and England.

In other squad news, Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris has returned to full running following his knee injury in January, but has remained with his region Ulster to continue with his rehabilitation programme. And Brett Wilkinson has stayed with Connacht for rehabilitation after he pulled his hamstring.

The Ireland squad converged in Kildare on Sunday evening for the first of the three planned pre-season camps as part of preparations for the World Cup that kicks off in September. Ireland line up against Australia, Italy, Russia and the USA in Pool C and kick off their campaign against the Eagles on September 11.

Camp schedule:

June 27 - July 1: Ireland Squad camp, Carton House, Kildare

July 2 - July 14: Players based in provincial/club centres

July 14 - July 15: Ireland Squad camp, Carton House, Kildare

July 16 - July 24: Players based in provincial/club centres

July 25 - July 29: Ireland Squad camp, Carton House, Kildare

Match schedule:

August 6: Scotland v Ireland, Murrayfield, Edinburgh

August 13: France v Ireland, Stade Chaban Delmas, Bordeaux

August 18: Ireland Select XV v Connacht, Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin

August 20: Ireland v France, Aviva Stadium, Dublin

August 27: Ireland v England, Aviva Stadium, Dublin