Rugby-Ireland's Stander may miss rest of Six Nations with facial injury

Ireland number eight CJ Stander is a doubt for the rest of the Six Nations after suffering a facial injury in Saturday's 32-20 defeat by England in Dublin. Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt told reporters after the match that Stander had been sent for a scan, while also confirming injuries to second row Devin Toner and wing Keith Earls.

"Keith Earls is pretty sore, with a hip issue, he got hit a couple of times early, he was very sore," Schmidt said. "CJ Stander we think has a facial injury and has gone for a scan. Devin Toner rolled his ankle, just taking a kickoff. "Beyond that there are physical and emotional bruises there for sure."

South African-born Stander's brother-in-law Ryk Neethling, the Olympic gold medal winning swimmer and former world champion, posted a picture of himself with Stander after the match on Twitter. "Not the result we wanted but an incredible experience nonetheless and proud of @CJStander playing 62 mins with two fractures in his cheek and eye socket," Neethling said in the tweet. (Reporting by Simon Jennings in Bengaluru Editing by Toby Davis)

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