Gaffney says O'Gara fit to face Stade
O'Gara went over on his ankle at a training session in Musgrave Park on Tuesday. Though the out-half wasn't involved in yesterday's squad session, coach Alan Gaffney confirmed that the problem was not as serious as first thought.
"When the original x-ray came through that night, it appeared as if there might be a crack in the fibula," Gaffney said.
"But it was all subject to an MRI scan this morning and the result is that it's all clear, there is no crack in the fibula and there is no ligament damage. There's some fluid there but it's really a sprained ankle. They had a cast on him yesterday but they've taken that off and he's now only got the elasticised bandage. He will be back running by Monday," the relieved coach said.
"I was next to him and we were just doing an unopposed drill when his legs got tangled up with Shaun Payne's and he twisted the ankle. He was in a hell of a lot of pain at 6pm but by 9pm, a lot of that pain had eased.
"He's a lot better again today. I've spoken to all the relevant medical people and as far as they're concerned, there's no doubt whatever about him playing on Saturday week."
Gaffney will also rest Peter Stringer and the entire front-row of Marcus Horan, Frankie Sheahan and John Hayes for tomorrow night's Celtic League clash with the Celtic Warriors in Pontypridd.
He also revealed that Jeremy Staunton was not considered because he has been out of action for ten weeks and will instead start an AIB League game for Garryowen against Blackrock College on Saturday.
"John Hayes has the back trouble he was suffering from last week and it would have been stupid of me to even consider playing him. Frankie Sheahan still has the calf strain, Peter Stringer has been carrying a few bits and pieces and Marcus Horan's shoulder remains a problem so it was considered prudent not to play them."
Meanwhile, Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy has capped a sensational season by being voted Six Nations Player of the Championship.
Following a five-star contribution to Ireland's first Triple Crown since 1985, D'Arcy was the runaway winner of the poll, run by the BBC Sport website.
He collected half of the 12,000 votes, four times as many as team-mate Paul O'Connell, who finished second.
England wing Ben Cohen pipped Wales full-back Gareth Thomas for third, with France flanker Serge Betsen fifth.
D'Arcy admitted he was surprised to receive the award, despite his current form.
"It was definitely not expected kind of a bolt from the blue. It's flattering to win this award by such a large margin. What can I say? It's been a dream, this last couple of months. Since Christmas everything seems to have gone right, so to win something like this is the icing on the cake.
"Having played for Ireland before and not really made any impact, I know I have to work even harder now to stay where I am. I won't be drifting off into obscurity this time."
The centre insisted he would not be distracted by talk of him making next year's Lions tour to New Zealand.
"Six months is a huge amount of time in rugby. Six months ago I didn't make the World Cup squad, so I wouldn't be so naïve to look that far into the future about the Lions. But fingers crossed."
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
