Official RBS 6 Nations Rugby : Bowe out of Italy clash

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Ireland star Tommy Bowe touching down a try against England in the 2010 RBS 6 Nations

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Bowe out of Italy clash

27 January 2011, 4:16 pm

By Sportsbeat

Declan Kidney's woes continued as winger Tommy Bowe was ruled out of Ireland's RBS 6 Nations opener against Italy.

Bowe has become a pivotal player for an Ireland backline already missing Shane Horgan, Andrew Trimble, Rob Kearney and Geordan Murphy for the Azzurri clash.

The Ospreys star was voted RBS 6 Nations Player of the Championship in 2010 and is also be doubtful for the following week’s match against France.

Meanwhile influential No.8 Jamie Heaslip’s ankle injury is worse than first feared and he is also out of the match at the Aviva Stadium with his backrow colleague, Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris, also unlikely to be declared fit.

Speaking at the official RBS 6 Nations Launch at the Hurlingham Club, Kidney admitted the run of injuries will test his squad’s depth.

He said: “You never like to see guys injured – we know how much playing for Ireland means to those guys.

“We've tried to build a squad over the last few years and this will be the test of that.

"I have a huge belief in the way Irish rugby comes from the grassroots up. Of course there won't be as much video analysis on the new guys so that will be an advantage."