Ireland's Erin King ruled out of Six Nations and World Cup

Ireland’s rising back-row star Erin King has been ruled out of the rest of the Women’s Six Nations and the upcoming Rugby World Cup due to a serious knee injury.

The 21-year-old suffered the injury during the match against England in Cork and will now undergo surgery in Dublin, followed by an extensive rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the IRFU medical team.

King had emerged as one of Ireland’s standout players over the past year, earning the World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year award in 2024.

In the current championship, she started all three of Ireland’s matches, topping the squad charts in lineout takes and breakdown entries.

Her injury represents a major setback not only for the team’s remaining Six Nations fixtures against Wales and Scotland, but also for their preparations ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup hosted in England.

The young flanker shared her heartbreak and determination in an emotional message: “I’m heartbroken to have suffered a serious knee injury that means I will miss the rest of the Six Nations along with the Rugby World Cup.

"It feels very unfair right now but I’ve had the best few months with this team and I can’t wait to support in every way I can from the sidelines.

"It will be a long road ahead, but with the support I have from family, friends, and team-mates around me, I will learn to accept that everything happens for a reason, and if I stick to the process and rehab programme set out by the medical team, I’ll be back better.”

King’s absence will force the Irish coaching staff to rethink their forward pack structure and depth options heading into two vital Six Nations clashes.