IRELAND HAVE CONFIRMED that Munster hooker Diarmuid Barron has travelled to Biarritz with the squad ahead of Saturday’s final World Cup warm-up clash against Samoa.
Barron, who was briefly with the squad earlier in the pre-season, has joined Andy Farrell’s group amid growing concern over first-choice hooker Dan Sheehan.
Sheehan suffered a worrying foot injury in Saturday’s warm-up win against England in Dublin, limping off in the first half. He has remained in Ireland this week.
The Leinster man underwent a scan on the injury and although Ireland have not provided an official update on the results, there is clearly concern as he was left back in Ireland to rehabilitate his injury.
It’s understood that Sheehan may be facing several weeks on the sidelines, with Ireland needing to consider whether to carry him into the World Cup with his injury given that he could miss the opening rounds. It seems likely they would given how important he has become to the team.
Farrell would hope to have a player as important as Sheehan back in time for the crucial third and fourth Pool B games against South Africa and Scotland, but it remains to be seen exactly how serious his injury is.
Hooker Rónan Kelleher, who is nursing a hamstring issue, is understood to be with Ireland in France, although it’s unlikely he will be fit to play against Samoa.
Ulster pair Rob Herring and Tom Stewart are the other two hookers in Farrell’s squad, while uncapped 25-year-old Munster man Barron has now given them another option.
Ireland also confirmed that number eight Jack Conan, who suffered a foot injury three weekends ago against Italy, has stayed in Ireland, as has loosehead prop Dave Kilcoyne, who is carrying a hamstring injury.
Again, Ireland boss Farrell will have to decide whether they make his final squad for the World Cup having been sidelined in recent weeks.
Ireland arrived in Biarritz on Sunday and trained at the Stade Jean Dauger in nearby Bayonne today. They will face Samoa in the same stadium on Saturday night in their final game before the World Cup kicks off.
Roy Keane has turned into the very thing he hates – a show clown!
@Pat Rascal: you’re obviously a poo fan
@anthony davoren: a poo fan? Anto try get it right ! Roy be disappointed with your feeble comeback.
@anthony davoren: idiot alert.
@anthony davoren: seriously – what age are you?
@Graham: jaysus ye are all out tonight
@colin coady: hardly a comeback,.just stating the obvious based on his cynical comment
@anthony davoren: You left out the letter L but still managed to touch a nerve.
@Pat Rascal: And I haven’t forgiven him for Saipan, when push came to shove he fu€&ed off in the one tournament that we had a real chance in if any one is old enough to remember.
Most entertaining maybe but not the best, give me a sadlier or kerr anyway. They provide such indepth analysis that rue football fans love. Roy is for the casual fan
@Phil: anyday*
@Phil: Sadlier is the best imo. Kerr good also. Keane doesn’t come close to these guys.
@Phil: damian Delaney is excellent
@Ray Ridge: Sky aren’t interested in in-depth analysis of the game. They’re interested in stats and sensationalism. Keane does what he’s told because they pay his wages. That’s about the size of it. Kerr, Delaney and Sadlier are by far the better “pundits” imo.
Roy has become the king of sound bites.
And the worst – winner by a country mile. Ex red Mr Spitty who shows zero balance in his alleged analysis. Should have been sacked!
What a nonsense article! Keano is a United legend but average pundit. Mostly he’s there to get a reaction from the other pundits. Oh and it’s TP (initials of player from previous article)
@G Bot: Gavin talking out of his hole.To much snow (actual snow )
It’s great to see Keane find success/happiness after retirement as a player. For years he was bitter about how he was fired until he became a much loved pundit.
But Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Ian Wright and Micah Richards are equally as interesting to listen to as Keane.
@Caolan Z: “big meeks” is dreadful to listen to.
He comes out with the same guff every week.
Not getting stuck in
Not wanting it enough
He has to do better.
@Brendan Coleman: That’s exactly the issue Amorim has with Rashford since he joined the club recently, not doing enough and not getting stuck in, so what’s wrong with Roy Keane as a pundit exposing the same shortcomings in Rashfords and others game. By his own admission Keane never regarded himself as a gifted footballer but he showed leadership, got stuck in and done enough to help Man. Utd, have so much success. As a manager he took Sunderland from the bottom of the Championship table to winning it the same season. Just name me another Irish born soccer player that achieved more success in their football career than Roy Keane?
Brian Kerr and Richie Sadlier far better at analysing the game. Keane is there for the novelty factor.
But that’s his job !!
@ Robert conway. Agreed about Carraher. That a h**e Neville as well so bias towards the other team in red.
The ManUre fans love him.
Best pundit…….No. Most entertaining… Yes.
He’s become everything he pretended to hate
He is probably the most famous pundit based on his quick wit and playing career. He is also probably the most entertaining pundit.
I think the likes of Delaney and Kerr are better pundits and can explain tactical stuff in an easy to understand way.
Worst pundit for anyone who knows anything about the game , great for the clueless masses