Gaffney believes Ireland fit for purpose

Defence coach Alan Gaffney believes Ireland remain in peak physical condition as they pursue a first Grand Slam in more than 60 years.

The squad’s well-being ahead of the penultimate round of the RBS 6 Nations is testament, Gaffney claims, to his colleagues in the backroom staff.

With coach Declan Kidney set to name his team today to face Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday, Gaffney voiced his appreciation for the work done to maintain his players’ good health.

Ireland have been relatively injury free since the start of the campaign – and Gaffney paid tribute to Kidney, strength and conditioning coach Paul Pook and the remainder of the medical staff .

“It’s been fantastic,” he said.

“A lot of credit for that goes to the way Declan’s controlled things or had things done – also the fitness guys and the strength and conditioning, and obviously the medical staff.

“You go to the training sessions – they’ve now been reduced, they’re not long at all and that’s been done to keep the players fresh and off their legs.

“We get it done, get a really high tempo in the sessions but get them off the pitch and don’t keep them out there for the sake of it.”

Gaffney is impressed by what has been happening on the pitch as well as off it - all of which means fit-again centre Gordon D’Arcy and scrum-half Peter Stringer will have to fight for their places in a team which has been unchanged for victories over France, Italy and England.

“Every moment ’Darce’ plays and the more time he has, the more of a challenge there is,” he said.

Those keeping D’Arcy out therefore have to stay on top of their game.

“It’s a very healthy challenge at the moment, with both guys playing good rugby,” Gaffney added.

“It’s the same with Tomas (O’Leary) and ’Strings’ [Stringer]. They bring different things to the party and both players have their strengths. Again, it’s a great battle there.”

The competition for places is pleasing.

“Sometimes it’s horses for courses,” Gaffney believes.

“We’ll examine both, see what they bring to the party. We’re pretty much aware of that and pretty much aware of what Scotland will do or what we hope Scotland will do, in the main.

“We’ll sit down and work it out and see how we’re best suited for the day.”