A blow for Ireland in an otherwise smooth Six Nations campaign.
Andy Farrell has confirmed that James Ryan will miss the remainder of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign after a ‘freak accident’ in training.
Farrell named a strong match-day 23 for Saturday’s game against England, but was unable to call upon Ryan, the Leinster lock, or Munster prop Oli Jager. Hugo Keenan replaced Ciaran Frawley at fullback while Finlay Bealham and Iain Henderson returned to the fold. At a press briefing before Ireland flew out to London for the game, Farrell told us:
“James Ryan is injured. He got injured yesterday in training, just a freak accident really, just a reaction, reaching out for a tackle that was non-contact and he’s injured his bicep. He won’t be available for the remainder of this Six Nations.”
Garry Ringrose, confirmed Farrell, is fit to play but was unable to break back into the starting XV, given the form of centres Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw. Backline bench cover comes from Frawley and Conor Murray, as Farrell packed six forwards on his bench.
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On getting Hugo Keenan back in his team, and breaking the bad news to Garry Ringrose, Andy Farrell said, “I think it would be a boost for any side in world rugby, He’s a world-class full-back. It’s testament to him and it’s no shock to us that he’s been able to get himself back to this position to be involved this weekend as he’s been unbelievably diligent over the last few weeks to make that happen.”
“It’s just circumstances,” Farrell continued. “Garry knows exactly. I had a chat with him yesterday and he was smiling in the fact that it’s just circumstances.
“He knows what I think about him as a rugby player and his comment to me was that he’s been on the good side of circumstances so many times as a player as well so he understands.”
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