Stringer will be ready for Italian job
However, Stringer’s inactivity was just precautionary and the Munster man is expected to get back into the fray today ahead of Friday’s final World Cup warm-up game against Italy at Ravenhill.
Meanwhile, flanker David Wallace was again restricted to gentle jogging as the Irish management were cautious not to rush him back into action too quickly. Wallace still has his left ankle heavily strapped and it is believed he will not be risked until Ireland’s second World Cup game against Georgia on September 15.
Skipper Brian O’Driscoll and winger Shane Horgan are due to link up with the squad in Belfast today after receiving treatment for the respective nose and knee injuries in Dublin.
Meanwhile, Ulster hooker Rory Best is looking forward to Friday night’s game against the Azzurri on his home patch in Belfast.
Best is determined to nail down the number two jersey ahead of Frankie Sheahan and Jerry Flannery.
“It keeps you own your toes having competition,” said Best. “But I feel a lot more comfortable now in the squad and feel part of the system.
“Having got a few starts it’s important that I don’t sit back and that I must continue to push forward.
“But there is cover all round in the squad. It’s going to be a long World Cup and there will be knocks and niggles, and players will get injured.
“But it is great that the depth is there and that everyone feels comfortable that the 15 out on the park will do the job for Ireland,” said Best who was just glad to get a game at what is now called the ‘Battle of Bayonne’.
“You can do all the weight-training and drills, but there is nothing that can simulate a scrum, ruck or a big tackle in terms of fatigue in the legs. As far as I was concerned it was a vital run-out. The players wanted another game, and it was a good, hard physical one in terms of what the forwards wanted to do.
“It will toughen us up and get us ready for the game against Italy.”
He warned: “Italy will be just as hard as Bayonne. Everyone knows about their physical presence, while they have some very good three quarters. Make no mistake they are a good team, an up-and-coming team and they are looking for a good World Cup themselves. You can bet they will be looking to kick-start their campaign on Friday night,” said Best.
Geordan Murphy, meanwhile, said that the Bayonne game was a good run-out.
“I think everyone will be pleased that we scored some tries and got a win in Bayonne. It was a very tough game,” said Murphy. “We were pleased by the way we had to dog it out. As far as Brian (O’Driscoll’s) injury you just cannot take into account doing something stupid like that.
“If Brian had not been injured, it would have been a fantastic game and good run-out. It was certainly very competitive. Luckily Brian will be back soon. There was a sense of concern after the game when everyone heard of Brian’s injury.
“After all, he is the best centre in the world and a great asset to the Ireland team. If there was a risk that he was going to be in the team, I’m sure all the players would have realised it was going to be tougher for the team.
“It was great news to hear afterward that the injury was not as bad as first feared. Everyone was pleased for him as he is a great guy to have around.
“Personally, I’m now eager to get a few runs in the World Cup. I’m really glad to be there. The Scottish game was really difficult for me. I was fairly nervous knowing what happened four years ago and obviously a bit of pressure with the World Cup squad... I was glad to get away with both legs intact,” he added.
Meanwhile, Argentina centre Martin Gaitan could miss the World Cup after suffering heart problems on Saturday following the Pumas 27-20 defeat to Wales.
The 29-year-old Biarritz centre fainted in the dressing room at the Millennium Stadium after the defeat and was rushed straight to hospital.
The Argentinian Rugby Union (UAR) have not officially confirmed that the player will miss the tournament in September but his participation now seems to be highly unlikely.
“This is a terrible blow for us,” team captain Agustin Pichot said.
“We are angry and sad. If there was a guy who deserved to play the World Cup, it was him. There are not too many things to say. I only hope Martin gets over it soon.”
His sentiments were echoed by full-back Ignacio Corleto, who added: “This is like a bomb. As happens in life, you have to fight until the end. We have to get over this shock. If Martin can, we can.”
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