IRELAND ARE INCREASINGLY hopeful of having both Garry Ringrose and Hugo Keenan available for next weekend’s trip to play England at Twickenham, with both players involved during today’s open training session at Aviva Stadium.
Ringrose took a full part in today’s session as he steps up his recovery from a shoulder issue, while Keenan went through a lengthy solo session with the IRFU’s rehab specialist Einar Einarsson behind the goal-line as he looks to return from a knee issue.
The fullback did some sprint work before completing a series of movement drills with no obvious issues, before joining the main group for some fitness work.
Oli Jager took no part in training today as he recovers from a knee issue, while Ryan Baird also sat out the session due to a back spasm. Iain Henderson was the other absentee, with the lock rehabbing a foot injury back at Ulster.
Yet with Ringrose and Keenan both pushing for inclusion in London next weekend, Ireland look primed to bring a near full-strength squad to Twickenham.
“Garry and Hugo and the main two that are coming through nicely, so we’ll see how the weekend progresses,” said Ireland attack coach Mike Catt.
“Garry trained with us today, which is good. It’s nice to have him back, he’s progressing nicely.
“He’s done a couple of unit sessions, so I suppose yeah, [today was his] first full session in terms of doing absolutely everything. He’s been running with us in the past couple of weeks as well. He’s progressing nicely, so fingers crossed he comes through.
“Hugo did a little bit on the sideline and then did the fitness with the boys so he’s progressing really nicely.
“Hugo’s slowly ticking along nicely. Hopefully by Tuesday or Wednesday he’ll be training fully and give us that opportunity. We need that competition in the team for us to drive forward.”
Should Keenan not pass his markers to feature against England, Ciarán Frawley would likely continue at fullback after impressing against Wales last weekend.
The versatile Leinster back was a try-scorer on his first Test start and Catt feels the 26-year-old is “just tapping the surface” of his potential.
“Gats [Warren Gatland] was saying they were going to bombard him with high balls, I don’t think they got many opportunities to do that. He was very safe, a great line for his try.
“The nice thing with Frawls is his rugby ability and his ability to fit into the way we play the game. Again, he’s just tapping the surface. I think he’s got a lot more to offer.
“He’s a big man, a powerful guy, and he’ll develop as he goes. A brilliant footballer and you couldn’t ask for much more from him.”
Third choice 7 MOM – just saying…
@Fuinneóig Ó’Fuigeann: Very obvious after Six Nation’s he’s not 3rd choice.
@Tomás O’Loughlin: Shame a 7 from another province didn’t put his hand up…
@Fuinneóig Ó’Fuigeann: Tommy O’Donnell. Injured. Like Sean O’Brien. Next point?
@Tomás O’Loughlin: who?
@Fuinneóig Ó’Fuigeann: What a troll. No one had heard even mentioned Leavy 6 months ago. Just because a fantastic player is injured you forget him? Eejit.
Outstanding Easter weekend what a way to end Lent with a Feast of Irish Winners,,,,,,sadly my liver is fecked
james lowe must have worked on his defence, it was immense today
You have to love his enthusiasm – his delight when he scored!
That picture at the top is gold!
@Sam Harms: two great players disappointed at losing a game? What’s your point
@Victor Sonovich: because no one likes Owen Farrell
@Bob Joe: i dont get why. He gets in fights but hes a physical player. Much more likeable then Lawes,Hartley,Marler,Care,Brown
@Bob Joe. I dunno, seems alright to me.
Farrell is very popular amongst his colleagues and most people who’ve met him have nothing but good things to say about him.
leinster where good for their money on the day and held back a big saracens pack which i thought where not so good in defence .but we must be carefull in our defence which nearly went off the rails if only they where more aggresive against scarlets in week or so we can win as they have a stronger team than off form scarlets and will be dirty as usual look at last year one sent of and target sexton many times and other dirt they got away with by the ref in that game we must show them we wont be bullied and we can win with speed and on long ball to keep them in their half .it will be hare to call but as i said if they attack them in power we can win as scarlets will play dirty all day long we cant let them do it as they could be dangerous if we let them away with it .ill go leinster 29 .scarlet 19