IRELAND EXPECT CENTRE Robbie Henshaw to be available for next weekend’s World Cup clash with Tonga in Nantes.
The Leinster man was due to be on the bench for yesterday’s emphatic win over Romania but had to withdraw with a hamstring concern, meaning Mack Hansen came into the matchday 23.
But speaking this morning in Bordeaux, Ireland assistant coach Simon Easterby confirmed that they expect Henshaw to be available next weekend.
“Yeah, he’s one of a number of those guys who didn’t take part yesterday that we would expect to be ready for selection come tomorrow night,” said Easterby.
“We’re hopeful that Robbie and others who haven’t taken part for whatever reason are available to us next week.”
The others who didn’t take part against Romania yesterday due to injuries were hooker Dan Sheehan, loosehead prop Dave Kilcoyne, and number eight Jack Conan.
Easterby sounded optimistic about their chances of featuring against Tonga.
“I’d say we haven’t ruled anyone out for next week,” said Easterby, who confirmed that there were no new injury issues arising from yesterday’s match.
“We will assess more people today and tomorrow. It’s usually the case that things maybe are flagged 24 or 48 hours after a game as opposed to straight after. As far as we’re aware, everyone came through pretty unscathed so it was great in that sense to get game time in the heat and conditions.
“The rest of the matches in the group are at night so we’ve gone a long way to producing a good performance in tough conditions.”
Peter o’mahoney was by far the best player on the field. Turnover after turnover he made. Tadgh did well but peter was a class apart
@Brian Jones: two superb players who both brilliantly; agree Pete may have shaded it
@Brian Jones: to be pedantic about it he made turnover after turnover after turnover. It’s in the article… he made 3 turnovers.
@Timmy O’Toole: *played
@Brian Jones: I’d say it was a close call. Probably Furlong playing for longer helped his case. I thought they were both amazing out there. Fair play to them all.
@Fergal O Lachtnain: 2 of which gave us 6pts in a game we won by 5. It’s not the amount, but the importance of them.
@Cormac Ó Braonáin: well furlong scores a try which gave us 7 points…
I love the Irish fans. Not happy when we win, we then have to claim the best player came from munster instead of Leinster or vice versa.
Anyway sexton was the big difference between this week and last.
@sup: you’re the first one here to mention Munster or Leinster so your projection won’t change the fact that even an RTÉ commentator could’ve told you this particular game was won in the backrow with the amount of breakdowns and turnovers there were.
Pure Wexford Beef.
@Kieran Campbell: he gets his strength from his mothers side, west cork beef!!!
@E Coughlan: chip
@Marcodub: wow it took you all day to get out from under your rock did it?
I knew some gimp would get upset by my joke, no surprise who it is do.
He’s some man for one man! Such a nice humble guy.
@Sam Harms: Best prop in world rugby and seems like a pretty decent human too.
Furlong was great, but I have to agree with most on here and say POM was MOTM. Lots of great performances out there today. Next week will be brilliant
Furlong has been Ireland’s best and most consistent performer for the last 18 months. Always gives 100% and solidifies the scrum every time he is on the field. He also brings another dimension in play
Sad thing it was great performance today by a host of players, a great win and instead of celebrating some people are still going on about Munster/Leinster. Get over yourselves lads. Furlong had a great game and so did POM. You think either of them care who got MOTM? Not all all.
@Eddie Hekenui: Im a connacht supporter, not a leinster or munster supporter. I see it as it is in connacht very well, so i undetstand quality when i see it no matter the province
What!? POM didn’t get it? Jaysus!
@Cormac Ó Braonáin: cause Furlong was better
@Marcodub: is that you, Reggie?
I hope our team win the World Cup. Our country and people deserve it.