Ireland axing the 'kick up the backside' needed for Gavin Coombes

ON THE DOUBLE: Munster’s Gavin Coombes celebrates scoring his sides second try with teammates. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Graham Rowntree credited the kick up the backside issued by Andy Farrell for turning Gavin Coombes’ season around after a man of the match performance in Munster’s win over Northampton Saints on the eve of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign.

National head coach Farrell will on Thursday morning name his squad for Ireland’s pre-championship training camp in Portugal in the week before the Triple Crown holders open their 2023 account against Wales in Cardiff on February 4.