Clean bill of health as Irish players report for Crown duty
The number of squad players in action reached double figures by Sunday and included the likes of Ronan O’Gara, Tony Buckley, Eoin Reddan, Shane Jennings, Paddy Wallace and Andrew Trimble.
None reported any serious ill effects on their return to the Irish camp ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Wales.
Having played on Sunday, the returning Leinster contingent was excused duty yesterday but the rest of the panel all participated in training in Greystones.
Among them was Rob Kearney who continues to make solid progress since he injured his right knee during the 23-point defeat against the French at the Stade de France last month.
“He took a full part in training but it wasn’t a heavy contact session and he’ll have more contact (today),” said team manager Paul McNaughton. “But based on what we saw we think he’ll be eligible for consideration.”
Also on the paddock yesterday was Jamie Heaslip, who rolled an ankle in the win over England, as well as Geordan Murphy who played the full 80 minutes in Leicester’s defeat of London Irish on Saturday.
With Kearney seemingly on target for a return to the active roster this week, Declan Kidney looks like being afforded the luxury of choosing between two of the best full-backs in the northern hemisphere. “We’re fortunate that we’re in the position that we have two quality full backs to choose from,” McNaughton agreed. “They are both very experienced players.”
Any lingering doubt about Brian O’Driscoll’s well-being was also put to bed. The captain has undergone cognitive tests and seen a neurologist since having his head rattled by Paul O’Connell’s knee in London.
His 100th Irish cap beckons Saturday
The long-term absences of Luke Fitzgerald and Sean O’Brien aside, it is an enviable state of affairs for Kidney so deep into the tournament and one Warren Gatland would undoubtedly trade for.
The Welsh coach’s preparations this week have been clouded slightly by minor calf injuries to Ryan Jones and Sam Warburton while scrum-half Mike Phillips picked up a dead leg against in Murrayfield on Sunday.
The odds are that all three will be passed fit before Saturday – Phillips is the main doubt – but Wales have already had their Six Nations ambitions compromised by a handful of longer-term injuries to players in their pack.
To their tight-five, in particular. They travel to Dublin later this week without players of the calibre of hooker Gareth Williams and lock Alun Wyn Jones but Paul O’Connell believes their replacements will stand up to the test.
“They have very good strength in depth. I thought their second row did very well in the French game. They have a very good lineout. That’s improved a lot on last year.
“You look at their front row and Adam Jones is back for them. He’s been playing very well and he’s been a real cornerstone for them like he was for us on the Lions. They are in a good position there. They have good depth.”
Meanwhile Wales forward Jonathan Thomas insists Croke Park holds no fears for Wales ahead of Saturday’s clash.
Thomas reckons Ireland have lost a large slice of home advantage since switching to the GAA stadium while Lansdowne is rebuilt.
Thomas, 27, was part of the Wales team humiliated in 2004 and 2006 but won the Triple Crown at Croke Park two years ago. He said: “I didn’t find Croke Park as intimidating as Lansdowne Road. It’s a great sporting facility and there’s obviously history there for the Irish but it was never nice to play as opposition at Lansdowne. It was only half the size of Croke but was incredibly intimidating. There always seemed to be a howling wind, it was noisy and the crowd were really close.
“I went to Lansdowne twice and was badly beaten both times but we have fond memories of winning at Croke Park and that can make a difference. It’s not going to win us the game, but it does make a difference if you have good memories of a certain place. It puts you in a positive frame of mind.”
Gatland may shift Thomas to the second-row for the Croke Park clash after Gloucester’s Gareth Delve was called into the squad.
Delve has joined the Wales squad as cover for skipper Ryan Jones, who is battling to overcome a calf muscle injury.
Even if Jones is declared fully fit – as the Wales camp anticipate – he could still be moved to blindside flanker, with an in-form Delve filling the number eight role. Gatland is thought to be keen on increasing his ball-carrying options in the pack, and Delve would fit that bill.
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