Wood may miss all three Tests

KEITH WOOD is prepared to miss all three of Ireland’s autumn internationals in his quest for full fitness.

The Irish skipper withdrew yesterday from the glamour Test next Saturday against world champions Australia, handing Frankie Sheahan a golden opportunity to prove himself.

However, Wood has not given up the possibility of facing Fiji and Argentina later this month.

Wood expressed his disappointment but said he had to be realistic about timing his return as he recovers from a neck injury.

“It’s always disappointing to miss out on a big game, but I had to be sensible about it. I have made unbelievable progress in the last couple of weeks but, I suppose, I ran out of time,” he said.

“I don’t think it would have been fair on anyone for me to play for the sake of playing. I just wasn’t ready.

“I have still a bit of work to do to get myself into perfect physical shape. I haven’t yet gone through every one of the different layers of training that I need, and I could do with some time on the pitch before going into the international arena.

“I might well get that game time with Harlequins next week or it could be the week after. I am just not quite sure at this point.

“In an ideal world, I would like to have as many games as possible before the Six Nations Championship starts in the New Year, but if I have to miss them, I will. I don’t want any unnecessary setbacks after making such progress in the last month.”

Wood is replaced in the Irish squad by Sheahan, who will likely be named as a reserve when the team is announced in Greystones on Tuesday, with the hooking position to be filled by Shane Byrne.

For the moment, a place on the bench will be enough to please Sheahan.

“It’s great to be back in the frame, particularly for such a huge game,” Sheahan said yesterday.

“I’ve been through a bit of trauma and had to endure a lot of criticism for my lineout throwing,” the Constitution player said.

“Fair enough, some of it was justified, but I have worked very hard on that aspect of my game and I’m happy at the moment.”

Sheahan’s problems began against England last season, when Ireland’s lineout was targeted.

In the subsequent game with Scotland, Ireland lost three of the first lineouts and he was substituted after 30 minutes.

He was dropped and named in the substitutes for the game with Italy, then dropped out of the squad completely when Wood returned after injury for the French match.

This season, he was not considered for selection on the team that defeated Romania due to injury. He came on as a substitute to win his ninth cap against Georgia in the World Cup qualifier, after Wood was injured playing against Russia the week before.

“Overall, the last 12 months have not been a particularly pleasant time, but the only option was to keep my head down and work on an area of my game that was perceived as a weakness,” Sheahan said.

“I must say that I have had great help from Brian Hickey, Munster’s assistant coach, and also from guys like Michael Galwey, Donnacha O’Callaghan and Mick O’Driscoll,” he said.

“We have worked out a lineout formula for Munster that appears to be working very well and that has given me great confidence.”

Sheahan is not yet counting his chickens.

“Being realistic, I doubt if I will start the game against Australia, but it is one of those games when all hands might be required on deck, eventually.

“Hopefully, I will get a run at some stage of the game.”

Meanwhile, Denis Hickie has aggravated a hand injury he sustained in the Leinster versus Bridgend Celtic League fixture.

As a result, Geordan Murphy (Leicester) has been called into the squad as a precaution. Hickie’s injury will be reassessed during the week.