Ireland provide positive injury update ahead of New Zealand clash

Ireland team manager Mick Kearney has also issued an update on Mack Hansen, Keith Earls and Robbie Henshaw.

Ireland’s James Ryan receives treatment after going down injured. Picture: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Ireland insist no player has been ruled out of contention for selection ahead of their World Cup quarter-final showdown with New Zealand at Stade de France on Saturday night.

Ireland team manager Mick Kearney issued an optimistic update on Monday morning following the Six Nations champions’ 36-14 victory over Scotland last Saturday that meant the Irish topped Pool A and booked their place in the last eight.

That victory came at a cost, however, with lock James Ryan picking up a wrist injury while wing duo Mack Hansen (calf) and James Lowe (eye) failed to finish the game.

Ireland had ruled out centre Robbie Henshaw and another wing, Keith Earls with hamstring issues prior to the match and Kearney said there would be no changes to Andy Farrell’s 33-man squad at the present time, indicating a comfort within the camp that all their injury issues were currently short-term and manageable.

"James Ryan is seeing a specialist and we're hoping for better news than originally anticipated,” Kearney said.

“Mack Hansen took a bang to his calf but is improving. Both him and James Lowe are making good strides. Keith Earls and Robbie Henshaw are both in contention as they progress during the week. Apart from that, just some usual bumps and bruises after a physical Test match.

"No call ups, no one added to the squad, and at this stage, no one ruled out for the match against New Zealand on Saturday night."

Kearney added that there would be greater clarity on Ryan’s injury, sustained following his introduction as a 49th-minute replacement for Tadhg Beirne when players fell on him, within the next 24 hours.

"We won't have a definitive on James until after he sees the specialist but certainly there would be more optimism around James than probably what was originally anticipated.

“He’s seeing the specialist today so we should know more either later this evening, tomorrow morning, tomorrow afternoon or whenever. Certainly within the next 24 hours we should have a clearer picture of where James is at.”