IRELAND OUTSIDE CENTRE Brian O’Driscoll was a notable absence from Ireland’s training session at Carton House today. Irish assistant coach Les Kiss confirmed to TheScore.ie that the country’s most capped player is suffering from a “bug” and sat out the session in Maynooth this morning.
Kiss insisted that O’Driscoll should be improved by the time Ireland next train. Wednesday is a down day so the Leinster man will have to prove he is back to his best in Thursday’s training session, which finishes up 90 minutes before Joe Schmidt names his team to play England.
Kiss said, “Brian didn’t run today. He has a slight bit of a bug… we’re just managing it. He’ll be fine for Thursday. I don’t know if you’d call it a stomach bug but he’s not feeling the best, let’s put it like that.”
The Ireland defence coach, who also admitted to being ill, had better news on the fitness and injury front for the remainder of the 33-man squad. Isaac Boss — concussed last Friday against Dragons — is ‘flying through’ his return to play protocols and Paul O’Connell is back to full fitness after the start of his championship was affected by a chest infection.
O’Connell’s Munster pack-mate Donnacha Ryan has impressed Kiss with his energy and enthusiasm since returning to the international set-up. “It is great to see Donnacha back and I know it has been a real plus to have him here. He came in and trained the house down,” said Kiss.
[The second row] is something we have to consider. After losing Dan Tuohy to injury last week we have to look at what our stocks are. It’s timely for Donnacha to come back into the fray.”
Ryan’s return from a niggling leg injury means he has to rapidly get himself up to speed with plays, calls and tactics. “The plus is,” said Kiss, “is that he gets to work with Paul [O'Connell] a lot in terms of the line-out. A lot of the calls and systems are not too far removed from [our] type. There will be that transfer of knowledge about the new attack and defence systems that Joe has implemented. He has to get his head around a few of those things but Donnacha’s a smart boy.”
Kiss made mention to selection calls and positional discussions being made ‘as the day goes on’ today and this evening. It would appear that the Irish management team are very close to settling on their starting XV. O’Driscoll’s name will be pencilled in at 13 but Schmidt will be hoping to avoid any repeat of the early morning call that Paul O’Connell made ahead of the Scotland clash.
Well he pretty much got hit by a car in the Wales game and was 100% in minutes !! He could get over anything in 48 hours !!
And if I remember correctly, the car is a write-off.
Hopefully if won’t spread through the camp.
I can’t believe they’re out camping in this weather! Mad stuff!
In BOD we trust
Too much partying with Seanie Fitz Bod???
http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/seanie-fitzpatrick-anglo-irish-went-2671143
http://www.contactmusic.com/photo/sean-fitzpatrick-brian-odriscoll-testimonial-dinner_3932733
I’m sure Bod will recover- he’s seen worse. Great to see Donnacha back in camp and driving up the standards. Sounds like Schmidt has everyone playing for the collective.
Can’t remember Ireland ever being able to lose a match and have such an outstanding points difference that the championship was still on.
This, and Cole’s absence makes me quitely confident.
Roll on that flight on friday. Twickers here we come.
Who starts instead of O’Driscoll. Candidates are Marshall (a 12), Henshaw (Inexperienced / better fullback) Cave (untried) McFadden (better for sub role / better winger), Bowe (not fully fit / untried). I assume McFadden as cover last week is the likely call. Not sure if there is any outstanding candidate for this game but Cave as a natural 13 nearly gets my vote. When Payne becomes eligible in autumn he leapfrogs them all. Hopefully O’driscoll recovers because without him an edgy win will become a narrow loss
If BOD out has to be Cave at 13, im a big Henshaw fan but he better suited to FB and his best performances for Connacht has been there
I’d agree with you on Cave. He’s a natural 13 who is in great form. If you can’t get in scoring the way he has been provincially this year, then you’re forever doomed.
That said, I’d also like to see Madigan go in the centre. I continue to believe that might be his way to break in.
Cave is injured.
Cat amongst the pigeons here but I would think there’s a real chance of Darcy to 13 and Marshall at 12.
There’s a few options, joe had used Darcy at 13 before, pushing Marshall to 12.
He could go for any of henshaw, cave or McFadden and of course joe being joe there’s always the option he has up his sleeve.
If we can manage without PoC on the morning if a game then we can do the same without bod with a weeks notice.
Big difference between England and Scotland though Chris. I’d prefer to have BoD there before any one else. Defensive ability if no other reason. I think it would upset the team a bit too.
Who’s Bug?
And this is the start of the mind games.. Latest score = 1-0 to schmidt
Darcy to 13 and Luke Marshall at 12 if BOD isn’t fit? If I remember correctly Darcy made his debut in Paris in 2004 at 13 when BOD was injured
Trimble can cover outside centre, McFadden to the wing Henshaw to the bench.
It will be Henshaw if BO D is out, good game to try him out. If your good enough your old enough as they say
Odriscolls vertigo playing up again me thinks.
Does anyone here know where the Ireland rugby team usually train? I know that Leinster and Munster have their own facilities at the University College grounds and the Ireland football team uses Malahide’s facilities at Ganon Park. Anyone?
Who’s bug?