Calf strain delays D'Arcy departure

Gordon D'Arcy's departure to New Zealand with the Ireland squad has been delayed by 48 hours after the centre picked up a calf strain at a recovery session following the 20-9 defeat by England on Saturday.

The Irish Rugby Football Union said in a statement the injury was scanned and to minimise the possibility of any swelling on the flight it was felt more prudent to allow time for the strain to ease before he joins the Ireland squad in Queenstown.

Ireland's first match in Pool C of Rugby World Cup 2011 is against USA in New Plymouth on 11 September.