DOUBTS OVER THE fitness of Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose and Devin Toner have muddied the selection picture for Joe Schmidt this week, while CJ Stander joins Iain Henderson, Tadhg Beirne and Luke McGrath in the treatment room for Saturday’s Six Nations clash against Scotland.
Andrew Conway is also unavailable for the trip to Murrayfield as he returns to Munster for further treatment on calf tightness he pulled up with in training at the Aviva Stadium last Thursday.
Stander has been ruled out for up to four weeks with a facial injury, Toner aggravated a rolled ankle — described as Schmidt as ‘problematic’ — and Earls was withdrawn at half-time following a knock to his hip.
Ringrose, meanwhile, will be assessed by the Ireland team medics over the next 24 hours after reporting hamstring tightness late in the game against England, meaning injuries could colour Schmidt’s selection process.
Following the relocation of Robbie Henshaw to fullback, Rob Kearney could come back into the 15 jersey for the round two encounter, with Henshaw switching back to midfield alongside Bundee Aki if Ringrose fails to pull through in time.
Earls’ potential absence creates an opening on the right wing, and while Andrew Conway is also unavailable, Jordan Larmour is in contention to start opposite Jacob Stockdale. Ulster’s Will Addison will also be pushing for involvement after missing out on the matchday 23 last week.
Both Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray had rare off days against England and on the assumption neither are carrying any knocks, should start their 51st Test as a half-back pair against the Scots — but Joey Carbery and John Cooney will be pressing their claims hard this week.
Up front, Toner’s injury presents Schmidt with a headache at second row, given Munster’s Beirne and Ulster lock Henderson are already sidelined, with one of Quinn Roux and Ultan Dillane set to partner James Ryan in the engine room.
Whether Toner trains on Tuesday with the rest of the Ireland squad at their Carton House base will be key — ditto with Earls and Ringrose.
Stander’s absence opens the door for Jack Conan or Seán O’Brien at number eight, while Jordi Murphy and Rhys Ruddock have been in excellent form for Ulster and Leinster respectively.
Either way, after Saturday’s disappointing defeat to England, Schmidt’s team announcement on Thursday afternoon will be fascinating.
Who would you like to see in Ireland’s starting XV to face Scotland?
Potential Ireland XV (v Scotland):
15. Rob Kearney
14. Jordan Larmour
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. Jacob Stockdale
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Conor Murray
1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Ultan Dillane
5. James Ryan
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Seán O’Brien.
Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin
17. Dave Kilcoyne
18. Andrew Porter
19. Quinn Roux
20. Jordi Murphy
21. John Cooney
22. Joey Carbery
23. Will Addison.
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Will there be betting on it?
I’m going to back against mayo every final just a hunch.
@OhToBeARossie: from the sixties onwards.
@Tom kenny: it’d be difficult to find footage pre 1960, so did it even happen of there’s no tape?
@OhToBeARossie: Be safe enough to say no Roscommon team will be participating in the rte classics.
@OhToBeARossie: so pessimistic
@Damien:You’re dead right,if you’re going to consistently lose finals you might as well be entertaining when you’re at it.
@Ciaran: The GAA would be a lesser place without Mayo.
Only doing it coz TG4 are showing classic GAA games for the last month #lazybroadcasting
@Denis Motherway: I was about to reply the same. Some excellent programming on TG4, they should be allowed advertising/programme announcements on RTE
RTE to show repeats. Well there is a surprise.
@D walsh: let’s hope they have plenty of black and white footage from the 60s. Can’t wait.
@D walsh: tell me all your brilliant ideas for what original content they are supposed to produce during a lockdown then
They’d be better off shutting it down – and saving a few bob…
@Ale Ceaser: Christ on a bike above, Ale Ale Ale! Are you still here spreading your positivity? Fantastic to see, keep it up, good boy. Great stuff from RTE, looking forward to it.
@Ale Ceaser: are you a troll or just an constant angry individual?
@Alex Kemp: A very happy chap, who doesn’t like repeats.
@Gavin Mckenna: I’m with Ale. RTE sport re-runs, 3am TG4 viewing! Netflix haven’t a hope!
@Alex Kemp: But then again – some people, like Gav – find repeats exciting…
@NotMyIreland: They’ll be showing replays of Masses next¡!
@Ale Ceaser: Get used to repeats! Gonna be all we have in 6 months time
The journal comments section has turned into the biggest cesspit of negativity there is. No matter what story is published. There are people chomping at the bit to write something negative about it. Maybe it’s just social media in general.
@Damien: Couldn’t agree more! The comments and replies seem to be getting more and more aggressive also (in my opinion)
@KeenOnKeem: son
@KeenOnKeem: some sad people out there who seem to have nothing better to do than complain and be negative about every topic. I worry about there mental health.
Apres Match – excellent!
RTE showing repeats!!!! OMG!
Something they should be doing for years instead of some of the rubbish that is constantly on repeat.
Am I paying my TV licence to watch repeats? I have all of these on VCR. Freeze my TV licence until this pandemic is over.
@Martin McFly: You recorded Ireland Vs All Black’s 2018 on your VCR – That’s Hipster level 3000!
What a snooze fest
Some showjumping please. Wouldn’t mind watching some of the classic Puissance competitions!
Good old rte repeat repeat repeat.
@Colin Mcgahon: yea we are a bit stuck for the aul LIVE Sport these days if you wernt aware. FFS
Rugby is when?
How about they slash the TV licence in half or at least try to come up with an original idea instead of copying TG4…….but ssssshhh nobody can be negative during this crisis cos we are “all in this together”
Ireland V England in Croke Park surely?
@Johnsinker: I agree
And don’t call me Shirley..
MORE REPEATS
Meh!
Still won’t watch those money grabbing…….
And we have des Cahill and marty morrisey tweeting about great job rte are doing.
“Classic hockey matches”.
That’s surely an oxymoron.
About time
Why the hell would they show such a god-awful game like Ireland vs All Blacks in 2013? There’s a pandemic going on, no need to torture us even more!
Just more repeats, same as usual.
RTE having to showing repeats…who’d have thought things were that bad
They should show the Tyrone vs. Down games from 2003. Those games were absolutely bonkers and show how good that Tyrone team were as an attacking force.
Pity they’re not showing any tennis in June. Pat Rafter v Goran ivanisevic 2001 is a classic.