Wood ready for lift-off

Keith Wood has declared himself fit following his recovery from serious shoulder injury after missing out on Ireland's most successful season in recent years.

Wood, 31, had an injury-hit season which saw him released by Harlequins at the end of the Zurich Premiership campaign, raising fears he could miss the World Cup in October.

But the Lions hooker continued his rehabilitation by going on Ireland’s tour last month to Australia, Tonga and Samoa in a non-playing role and he is delighted to be back in harness.

“It was brilliant for me,” Wood said. “Everything I could possibly hope to get out of it, I got out of it.

“I was very close to playing by the end of the trip. I tested my shoulder to the full in training, full contact, full scrummaging. There were no repercussions.”

Since leaving Harlequins, Wood, capped 51 times by Ireland, the last coming 10 months ago in a World Cup qualifier in Russia, has returned to his roots in Co Clare.

“I’m back in Ireland until after the World Cup,” he said. “The family are back living in Killaloe. Ireland has constant training camps through the summer which suits me ideally. It starts in Poland next week but I’m also training with the Munster guys all the time.”