A Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against New Zealand awaits Ireland after Scotland were thoroughly thrashed in Paris on Saturday night. A second minute try from James Lowe started the demolition job.
It was an outrageously dominant performance for Andy Farrell's men but it was not without an injury toll.
Mack Hansen went off for a TMO, returned, and then left again after picking up a calf injury.
Tadhg Furlong suffered an awkward looking injury to his leg, though he seemed in good spirits after the game. James Ryan required some physio attention after a hand injury in the second half as well.
And then there's the eye injury to Lowe.
SEE ALSO: Scottish Prop Hammered For Cowardly Act He Pulled On Ireland Star Dan Sheehan
SEE ALSO: Peter O'Mahony Takes Incredible Swipe At Scotland After They Fail To Show Up Again
James Lowe eye injury
In the first half, James Lowe appeared to get a finger in his left eye from teammate Tadhg Beirne.
7 October 2023; James Lowe of Ireland reacts after an injury to his eye during the 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Scotland at the Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Lowe did not appear back on the pitch after halftime, and was replaced by Conor Murray with Jameson Gibson-Park moving to the wing.
The television broadcast said that Lowe had been sent to the hospital. For a space of about three minutes, many Irish fans were fearing the worst for James Lowe.
James Lowe in hospital.. say it isn’t trueeee 😭😭 #IREvSCO
— Kelsey (@kelskav01) October 7, 2023
However that report was quickly countered by Rúaidhri O'Connor of the Indo who spotted Lowe on the sideline.
I know TV said James Lowe is gone to hospital, but he's standing on the touchline in front of us
— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) October 7, 2023
Virgin Media quickly corrected the report.
Lowe was indeed spotted on the sidelines with a nasty-looking eye injury. According to the post-match injury briefing from Andy Farrell, James Lowe regained the vision in his eye towards the end of the game, which indicates he lost it immediately after the injury.
Farrell also said that James Ryan's wrist injury also requires further assessment.
Andy Farrell praises Ireland
Farrell praised his side for their clinical dismantling of Scotland.
"Obviously we scored the try early doors, which was a great start but they really came out of the blocks after that. They threw everything at us, I thought our attitude, our defence to try and keep them out for long spells was the making of the game. A really clinical first half performance and it had to be because they are a great side Scotland, to get that many points at half-time was a good innings from us."
Ireland will play the All Blacks next Saturday evening. Hopefully, the likes of Lowe and Hansen will be fit and ready to play.
SEE ALSO: Scottish Prop Hammered For Cowardly Act He Pulled On Ireland Star Dan Sheehan
