Smal backing ‘Little killer’ to cut loose

Munster loosehead prop Dave Kilcoyne looks set to start for Ireland against Fiji at Thomond Park on Saturday with national team forwards coach Gert Smal backing his “little killer” to shine.

With head coach Declan Kidney set to stand down most if not all of the starting XV that faced South Africa at the Aviva Stadium last Saturday and eager to assess his less experienced players, 23-year-old Limerickman Kilcoyne is poised to form a front row with Leinster pair Sean Cronin and Michael Bent in the weekend’s non-cap match.

Others set to feature include Ulster 20-year-old back row Iain Henderson and outside centre Darren Cave while Smal reported that of the more senior members, wing Tommy Bowe was nursing a dead leg but was on course to face Argentina in 10 days while Eoin Reddan was responding well to treatment on a bruised ankle.