Keenan still in contention but facing fitness race for Welsh clash, says O'Connell

The full back is rehabbing an injury he picked up last time out. 

Ireland forwards coach Paul O'Connell faces the press. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Ireland are already beginning to prove there is life after Johnny Sexton and Paul O’Connell is confident the Guinness Six Nations frontrunners could cope without Hugo Keenan if injury rules the full-back out of the round-three clash with Wales tomorrow week.

The Ireland assistant coach addressed both issues yesterday after the 2023 Grand Slam winners began preparations for the visit of the Welsh to Dublin for the first of the defending champions’ Triple Crown matches which will round out the 2024 competition.