Rory Best's bug gives Joe Schmidt more 11th-hour stress

Ireland’s readiness for the unexpected, which failed them so demonstrably last weekend, looks set to be re-tested this afternoon against Italy if captain Rory Best fails to shake off a stomach bug.

Best, who earned his 101st Test cap in Ireland’s defeat against Scotland last week, yesterday sat out the captain’s run he was scheduled to lead at Stadio Olimpico having come down with the bug on Thursday night on the squad’s arrival in the Italian capital. Munster’s uncapped 23-year-old hooker Niall Scannell, an unused replacement last week in Edinburgh, was last night standing by for what would be a remarkable Test debut from the first whistle with Leinster’s James Tracy, who made his first appearance for Ireland in November, drafted into the camp as cover for a potential bench place.

“He had a bit of a stomach upset overnight and he didn’t sleep particularly well,” forwards coach Simon Easterby said of Best as he sat alongside vice-captain Jamie Heaslip after the captain’s run.