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Ireland's Grand Slam tilt handed triple injury boost

89 days ago

Tadhg Furlong of Ireland before the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Injured trio Tadhg Furlong, Mack Hansen and Joe McCarthy could be available for the Six Nations showdown with Wales in Cardiff on February 22.

Prop Furlong and second row McCarthy have missed the victories over England and Scotland through calf and head injuries respectively, while winger Hansen played against England, but sat out at Murrayfield with a hamstring problem.

An Irish Rugby Football Union statement said: “The Ireland squad returned to Dublin on Monday afternoon and the matchday 23 from Sunday’s bonus point win over Scotland will enjoy a short break before returning for a mini camp from Wednesday night in Dublin.

“Tadhg Furlong continues to make good progress, as do Mack Hansen and Joe McCarthy with the Ireland management optimistic about their availability for the Wales fixture on Saturday, 22 February at the Principality Stadium.

Fixture

Six Nations

Wales

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Ireland

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“A number of players have been released to their respective provinces for URC action this weekend.”

Ireland top the table with a maximum 10 points, four ahead of France and England.

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Comments

1 Comment

RedWarriors 89 days ago

Great news. I feel Sam Prendergast and indeed the strongest team has to start to keep improving before the vital match up with a wounded France.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Carlos 1 hour ago

Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster

Felipe and Manuel went to Cardinal Newman school and rugby club, ran by Irish priests. One of them left to found St Brendan’s. Newman, St. George’s and St Andrew’s are the traditional upper class Anglo schools of Buenos Aires. Only Newman now sustains great rugby. St George’s previously did and St Andrew’s was a feeder to many clubs.

In 1970 Ireland toured Argentina and the team visited Hurling Club near the city and left them their kits at the end of the tour. The party was memorable. My mother and three brothers played field hockey for Hurling. Also, some of the players visited St Brendan’s.

Some years ago, I met Barry Bresniham at a rheumatology meeting. Sadly he passed away of a brain tumor. Barry was a very charming man and we spoke about that 1970 visit. St Brendan’s posted a picture of him on the front door of the school.

I do know about the Irish. I sincerely appreciate and enjoy Mzilikazi here, for example. But you sound like the Aussie fan OJ. Angry and defensive. Be like the Irish I know and not like a sourpuss.

200 Go to comments

Carlos 1 hour ago

Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster

I’m an Argie. We first scrum.

200 Go to comments

DC 1 hour ago

Farrell puts his reputation on the line knowing tougher challenges lie ahead

The Lions are a scratch team of players who rarely ever play together. For them to win, they need to be based on the best Home Nation (which still probably Ireland) with a smattering of players from the other nations.

Bare in mind that in 2001 they played the world champions. 2005 they played the greatest NZ team in the history of the All Blacks. 2009 and 2021 SA were the world champions. And NZ were the world champions in 2017. The only series the Lions have won in recent years was against Australia, who were significantly weaker than the other SH teams.

11 Go to comments

Ed the Duck 1 hour ago

Leo Cullen 'completely, 100 per cent' understands Leinster fan frustration

Hard to test them when they’re rested the week before or left on the bench, don’t you think?

2 Go to comments

JD 3 hours ago

Marcus Smith backed to beat rivals to Lions Test jersey

They are, except when it comes to 10.

Assuming Russell starts as test 10 you have no back up on the pitch. The only option is Kinghorn, but he would need to fill in there during warm up matches which is unlikely.

Only option is Smith in the 23 shirt. This again assumes Kinghorn starting 15. Based on current form that is the case.

Personally I prefer the conventional 5:3 split for the most part.

8 Go to comments

RedWarriors 3 hours ago

Leo Cullen 'completely, 100 per cent' understands Leinster fan frustration

The point is the ‘Team are not pushing forward’. The team are better in absolute terms but the tactical coaching is poor. If Leinster are not being challenged and weaknesses exposed in matches then that has to be done in the training ground.

That said individual players must take flak. A lot of ire was directed at Snyman, but McCarthy must take flak too. That said what on earth was Keenan doing attempting to rush against Freeman (first try) and Ramm last try. Both times he was caught in no mans land leaving a field of green behind him. For the first try he just needs to hold his ground a little to cover the kick. An overlap was not on. Keenan would have easily reached Freeman, but rishing up made the grubber 100% on.

The Ramm one was equally bizarre. Now NH had caught Leinster short, but they have alot of work to do if Keenan holds his ground. Again he rushed up meaning one pass to Ramm makes the try.

Some players can be rested for 3 weeks, some get rusty. Keenan is one of the latter. But he must do better. All Leinster needed was one of those tries to be averted. Just one.

2 Go to comments

Ed the Duck 3 hours ago

As the balance of power shifts away from Ireland, has Andy Farrell got his Lions calls right?