Kiss to take pointers for November Tests

After a Six Nations riddled with injuries, Ireland interim coach Les Kiss expects to have the luxury of a full deck to choose from when he sits down to pick his team to face the USA after they came through training in 30C heat in Houston yesterday.

But the weather remains a big factor in Texas, with humidity expected to be at more than 80% come kick-off on Saturday night.

There has been no decision on whether the teams will be able to stop and take on water breaks during the clash, as the Lions did in Hong Kong last weekend, but the Irish management will push for their introduction in pre-match meetings with officials this week.

Captain Peter O’Mahony admitted he was finding conditions tough at training yesterday as Kiss put his squad through their paces for 70 minutes in the sun.

“The heat has been a factor for us and in training today we got 70 minutes and a bit of a shock of what heat and humidity will do, training has gone well and it is an opportunity to get good Test rugby,” he said.

Kiss wants his young squad to impress him in the Tests against the US Eagles and Canada ahead of him handing over the reins to Joe Schmidt, who lands in Houston on Friday.

“There is a real opportunity on two fronts, to bring players away so that they are well informed about what is required at this level and to prepare for Test matches come November,” Kiss said.

“For ongoing transition into a new structure there is an opportunity to know what the players can do.

“These two Tests are ideal for that.

“We want to win two Tests, that’s what it is about and if we come out the other end well informed about what faces us going into November it will be a good thing.”

With a capacity of just over 22,000, 18,000 tickets for the game have so far been sold for the clash at Houston Dynamo’s home ground.

Kiss will name his team overnight on Friday.