All we need now is Andrew Trimble and Chris Henry fit and we’ll be flying
Positive news flooded out of Carton House this afternoon as Mick Kearney, so often the bearer of injury update woe, gave updates on the fitness of a number of key players.
The Ireland team manager announced Cian Healy, Johnny Sexton, Jamie Heaslip, Dave Kearney and Eoin Reddan are all fit and have trained today.
The coaching team are hoping to get Sean O’Brien on the training paddock tomorrow. The Tullow Tank was withdrawn from the fray minutes before Ireland’s weekend win over Italy.
He was rested from training today but should be in contention for a place in Saturday’s matchday squad, for France, if he can train fully on Tuesday.
Kearney said, ‘Sean had the scan last night and it did show up a minor strain which was good news. He will train with the squad tomorrow and, if he comes through that, he will be available for selection. Whether that will happen or not, we will have to wait and see.’
Rory Best was removed from play after 47 minutes, against the Italians, having received a blow to the head. The Ulster hooker has been following return to play protocols and has, thus far, showed no ill effects.
Sexton will be pressing fellow out-halves Ian Keatley and Ian Madigan for a place in this weekend’s squad following his 12-week, concussion related absence from the game.
