Murray Kinsella Reports from Tours

IRELAND HOOKER DAN Sheehan is back in full training after recovering from a foot injury, meaning he could make his return for Ireland against Tonga in their second World Cup pool game this Saturday.

The 24-year-old has become a key figure as Ireland’s first-choice hooker in recent seasons, meaning his return to fitness is a huge boost for Andy Farrell’s side, particularly given that they face South Africa in the crucial Pool B tie in two weekends’ time.

Sheehan suffered his foot injury in the warm-up game against England four weekends ago and there were initially big fears that he could miss the South Africa game, so his recovery ahead of the Tonga game is welcome.

Ireland have also confirmed that loosehead prop Dave Kilcoyne has returned to full training after overcoming the hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since the warm-up game against Italy six weekends ago.

Centre Robbie Henshaw is back in full training too, having pulled out of last weekend’s World Cup win over Romania due to a hamstring concern. 

While Sheehan, Henshaw, and Kilcoyne are now all available to face Tonga, Saturday’s game will come too soon for number eight Jack Conan.

Conan suffered a foot injury in the warm-up win over Italy and while he returned to the pitch to do some running today in Tours, he still has a way to go with his rehabilitation.

With Conan back on the pitch, having been working in the gym up until now, Ireland are hoping to have the Leinster man back available for the South Africa clash in Paris on 23 September. 

“Jack was out running, which was a real positive, and while Saturday will come a little bit early for him, I think the signs are really positive in terms of being able to train fully next week, and hopefully he will be available for South Africa,” said Ireland team manager Mick Kearney.

Ireland team manager Mick Kearney. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Conan is now the only one of Ireland’s 33-man World Cup squad carrying an injury and Kearney believes the group are in a good place as they get set to take the next step against Tonga this weekend.

“Confidence and belief is very high,” said Kearney, a popular figure who previously worked with Ireland during Joe Schmidt’s reign and was convinced to return by current boss Andy Farrell.

“I think that comes from a number of factors. Going back to when Andy came in after 2019, I think there was a lot of talk about players being themselves, being happy very much in the environment, having that kind of openness, willingness to speak out, very much to be themselves and work together and ask questions.

“In the early days, Andy would say there’s no such thing as a silly or a bad question and he doesn’t have to say that anymore now because players are very open with each other.

“I also think the staff and the players, there’s an incredible connection between both groups. Staff, they are just so humble and hardworking and just want to do their best for the team, which permeates down to the players as well and they really appreciate it.

“From the players’ point of view, there are no egos, they are incredibly humble. There’s an incredible work ethic between the staff and the players. The coaching team are working so hard to make the players better which in turn builds confidence. I don’t think it’s something you can build overnight.

“It’s something that has been building for the last four years really. I see now everybody is comfortable in the system, they train hard, their habits are really good.

“The coaches are drilling good habits into them morning noon and night and the players have really embraced the challenge of being the best version of themselves every day and I think the backroom staff, whether it be nutrition or S&C or medical or operations, they actually really step up to the plate in giving that support and being the best version of themselves every day as well.

“For me, it’s a privilege to be involved in such an incredible environment with such genuinely good people all around me.”