Murray Kinsella reports from Stadio Olimpico
JOE SCHMIDT SAYS IRELAND are hopeful Sean O’Brien will be available to play in the Six Nations clash with France in Dublin next weekend.
The Leinster back row was set to start today’s 26-3 win over Italy in Rome, but a hamstring injury late in the warm-up at Stadio Olimpico meant he was ruled out.
In O’Brien’s absence, Munster openside Tommy O’Donnell stood in and impressed in a try-scoring performance in Rome. While there is reassurance in that O’Donnell display, Schmidt is hoping to be able to call on O’Brien against the French.
It was the very last thing we did in the warm up,” sighed Schmidt post-match at Stadio Olimpico. “He put his foot down and it slid out from under him and he tweaked his hamstring. His power is really good and it was probably a marginal decision at the time.
“But we didn’t want a repeat of the last time we came here [in 2013], when we did lose a few [players to injury during the game]. It was great that he was able to be replaced by Tommy O’Donnell in the manner that Tommy O’Donnell played.”
As for O’Brien’s potential involvement against France, Schmidt is positive.
“I’d be hopeful, I’d be quietly confident, but we will get a scan on him when we get back to Dublin, probably tomorrow evening. We’ll have an update on Monday I’d say, because that scan will be read and we’ll be able to give some more specific feedback then.”
Hooker Rory Best was replaced by Sean Cronin just six minutes into the second half, and appeared to be in some discomfort as he left the pitch after a head injury.
“Rory’s fine, I just spoke to him,” said Schmidt. “He did get a knock and we decided to err on the side of caution with him by keeping him out of the rest of the game. He’ll follow the return to play protocols, because we want to be fairly careful there.”
Ireland’s caution in that regard is hugely welcome, particularly after events involving George North in Cardiff last night. Having both O’Brien and Best fit to face the French would be a welcome boost for Schmidt.
RTE can put in a request to change Sky’s game to 3pm. I doubt Sky would deny them if they did.
you really think Sky wulould back down? 7 clocks seems to be their favoured time.
The Sky deal hasn’t gone down well in rural parts of Ireland. It would be a travesty if a senior football provincial final was not on television. I wouldn’t think Sky would want to be the cause of that. It would be a pr disaster.
it won’t be the first time it’s happened. the only reason it’s an issue now is because of Sky.
No way sky will change the schedule for their competitors. This was always going to happen once sky got involved and for that I think the gaa sold out. To have one of their marquee games of the season not being shown on rte is a massive disappointment and a sign of what’s the come.
out of curiosity..suppose premier sports wouldnt get it either because of sky for us UK based people….
Well no surprise here. GAA make a mess of one of the biggest fixtures of the year and could now lose it to Sly Sports !!! Laughing stock…
This issue is known in advance. People are talking about asking Sky to change their timeslot, but why did the Munster council choose this time and date for the replay?
Would imagine in order to fill their own coffers.
Surely they will come to an agreement. Lets be honest, Nobody wins if a Cork v Kerry Munster final is replaced by Derry v Wexford!
This is crap. Sky have the rights to the 3B games. This is a replay that Sky don’t have rights to! So, so what if it clashes, RTE is an independent broadcaster who can surely broadcast whatever it likes at 7pm on Saturday as long as it isn’t the games it sold!!! RTE needs to cut the crap & show the Munster final
The Derry and Wexford supporters might beg to differ. This is what the GAA signed up for when they did the deal with Sky.
Is this OUR NATIONAL game – Are @RTEsport serious that they won’t broadcast a 7pm replay game because the greedy GAA sold rights to other matches to Sky Sports??
was the first game in killarney as well??