'We expect him to be fit': Boost for Ireland as Andy Farrell backs Dan Sheehan

The hooker had to be replaced during the victory over England last time out.

POSITIVE OUTLOOK: Head coach Andy Farrell during an Ireland rugby media conference at Parc des Sports Jean Dauger in Bayonne, France. Picture: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Andy Farrell has declared hooker Dan Sheehan fit for next month’s World Cup, a huge boost for the Six Nations champions ahead of their bid for the William Webb Ellis Trophy in France.

Head coach Farrell was speaking as he revealed his team for Saturday night’s final pre-tournament tune-up against Samoa at Bayonne’s Stade Jean Dauger, for which he has made a dozen changes from the starting line-up which faced England seven days earlier at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.