“It was a bit clunky.”
Andy Farrell has offered a positive update after Jack Conan, Craig Casey and Jimmy O’Brien all went off with injuries in Ireland’s 33-17 win over Italy.
Ireland scored five tries but looked a bit stale and lacking flow in the second half as Italy made a game of it. Tom Stewart, Ciarán Frawley and Calvin Nash all made their Test debuts as Ireland started off on the road to France with a testing warm-up win.
“Delighted to get the win, obviously,” Andy Farrell. “It matters to us, when we play at the Aviva especially… particularly nice to get the win for the three lads making their debut, so they can look back on tonight knowing we got the win.”
“It was a bit clunky,” he admitted, bemoaning a slow start to the second half. Farrell was asked about injuries to three of the Ireland players, which would have worried some fans.
Jack Conan and Craig Casey both came off early. (Credit: Sportsfile)Andy Farrell provides Ireland injury update
Following his side’s 33-17 win over the Italians, Andy Farrell was asked for a fitness update on his troops.
“They seem not too bad,” he said. “Jimmy’s shoulder has shut down a bit… it’s an old issue.
“Jack lost power in his foot, but seems okay. Craig’s back tightened up, which affected his hamstring.”
Ireland next play England at Lansdowne Road, on August 19, and a much-changed starting XV is expected. England were defeated 20-9 by Wales, in Cardiff, earlier in the day.
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