Everything is coming up roses for Ireland.
Ireland assistant coach Richie Murphy ladled out more good news for Irish rugby supporters, this afternoon, ahead of the Saturday’s Six Nations encounter with Wales.
Both Jamie Heaslip and Johnny Sexton trained fully today and have been declared fit to face the Welsh. Heaslip has made a truly remarkable comeback from fracturing three vertebrae, against France, and also took a full part in training – including contact – on Monday.
Murphy said, ‘Johnny took full part in training this morning, he has done all the team stuff and trained well. Everyone else has come through, Jamie trained Monday and Tuesday so he’s fit and healthy and ready to go.
‘The two boys, Jared and Sean O’Brien both passed their return to play protocols. They have done contact today so as long as there’s no reaction over the next 24 hours they are both fit and ready to go.
‘It looks like a full deck to pick from, and everyone is very upbeat, everyone enjoyed that session this morning, the intensity was right up there.’
Concussion worries Sean O’Brien and Jared Payne also took a full part in today’s session, at Carton House, and, if they show no ill effects of their training exertions, will be declared fully fit for Wales.
Murphy believes the fitness news has given Ireland an extra fillip as they head into a tough away test in Cardiff.
He said, ‘Having everyone fit and healthy is a massive thing for the squad because it puts pressure on everyone. The environment gets a nice little buzz off that.’
