IRELAND’S ENTIRE 31-man squad trained fully at Newport High School this morning, leaving Joe Schmidt with a handful of difficult selection decisions ahead of Sunday’s World Cup clash with France.
Schmidt's squad trained in its entirety today. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Centre Jared Payne, who missed last weekend’s win over Italy with a bruised foot, took part in all portions of the session – including contact work – according to assistant coach Simon Easterby.
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That leaves the 29-year-old in line to take his place in the 13 shirt alongside Robbie Henshaw for the decisive Pool 2 meeting with les Bleus.
Easterby stated that Ireland are aware how lucky they have been in relation to injuries compared to other teams.
It is testament to not only the players, who put in a lot of effort after games to make sure they recover, but the medical staff and the conditioners,” said Easterby at Ireland’s team base in the Celtic Manor resort.
“We have been very fortunate that we haven’t had to call for any back-up yet unlike some teams and to be able to get everyone out on the pitch today is very important.
“At this stage, after three games, I don’t think there will be many teams who have got that many players from their original squad, running around.”
It means Ireland have strong options in their front row, second row, centres and back three for this weekend’s clash in the Millennium Stadium.
Cian Healy is favourite to start at loosehead, Iain Henderson is expected to be preferred to Devin Toner at lock and Payne should return in midfield. In the back three, Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls and Dave Kearney appear to be vying for the two wing positions.
Paul O'Connell at Ireland's session today. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
“The selection has been very difficult,” said Easterby. “As far as the back three is concerned, there are a number of players who are in form and that’s great for us as coaches. It’s great that we have the opportunity to pick from a full deck.
“The one thing that we pride ourselves on is to be big in the air. We need to dominate that area. It is certainly an area that we as coaches and players focus on. The French have lost (Yoann) Huget earlier in the tournament and that was a blow to them.
“But they have certainly got fire power out wide. We are pretty focused in the back three in trying to negate their threats.”
The mention of that importance of dominating France aerially is perhaps a hint that Bowe will get a start in Ireland’s biggest game of the tournament so far, although Kearney and Earls have both shown prowess in that area in recent times.
Ireland don’t name their team and bench until Friday afternoon.
Ireland's fully-fit squad means difficult selection meetings for France clash
Murray Kinsella reports from Celtic Manor
IRELAND’S ENTIRE 31-man squad trained fully at Newport High School this morning, leaving Joe Schmidt with a handful of difficult selection decisions ahead of Sunday’s World Cup clash with France.
Centre Jared Payne, who missed last weekend’s win over Italy with a bruised foot, took part in all portions of the session – including contact work – according to assistant coach Simon Easterby.
That leaves the 29-year-old in line to take his place in the 13 shirt alongside Robbie Henshaw for the decisive Pool 2 meeting with les Bleus.
Easterby stated that Ireland are aware how lucky they have been in relation to injuries compared to other teams.
“We have been very fortunate that we haven’t had to call for any back-up yet unlike some teams and to be able to get everyone out on the pitch today is very important.
“At this stage, after three games, I don’t think there will be many teams who have got that many players from their original squad, running around.”
It means Ireland have strong options in their front row, second row, centres and back three for this weekend’s clash in the Millennium Stadium.
Cian Healy is favourite to start at loosehead, Iain Henderson is expected to be preferred to Devin Toner at lock and Payne should return in midfield. In the back three, Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls and Dave Kearney appear to be vying for the two wing positions.
“The selection has been very difficult,” said Easterby. “As far as the back three is concerned, there are a number of players who are in form and that’s great for us as coaches. It’s great that we have the opportunity to pick from a full deck.
“The one thing that we pride ourselves on is to be big in the air. We need to dominate that area. It is certainly an area that we as coaches and players focus on. The French have lost (Yoann) Huget earlier in the tournament and that was a blow to them.
“But they have certainly got fire power out wide. We are pretty focused in the back three in trying to negate their threats.”
The mention of that importance of dominating France aerially is perhaps a hint that Bowe will get a start in Ireland’s biggest game of the tournament so far, although Kearney and Earls have both shown prowess in that area in recent times.
Ireland don’t name their team and bench until Friday afternoon.
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