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The Ireland injury update on Tadhg Furlong, Ryan Baird for Fiji

By PA
Ireland's Tadhg Furlong at training earlier this month (Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong is on track to be available for Saturday’s Autumn Nations Series match against Fiji, but Ryan Baird has been ruled out due to concussion.

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Tighthead Furlong missed the opening two rounds of his country’s November campaign because of a hamstring issue. Forward Baird sustained a head injury shortly after coming on in the second half of Friday’s 22-19 win over Argentina.

Furlong trained fully with Andy Farrell’s squad on Tuesday and could return to contention for the weekend fixture in Dublin. Asked for his assessment of the 32-year-old, scrum coach John Fogarty told reporters: “Full of energy. He got through the session today and he will be assessed as we go along.

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“I’d say bullish, he is eager to get back and excited to be in and around the team again. It’s lonely when you are outside of that. He is excited to be in and around the team, and we are excited as well.”

Ireland held on for an unconvincing 22-19 victory over Los Pumas to bounce back from a 23-13 loss to New Zealand seven days earlier. Their front row options are set to be further boosted by the return of prop Tom O’Toole, who is available after suffering a head injury against the All Blacks.

Team Form

Last 5 Games

4
Wins
3
3
Streak
1
16
Tries Scored
17
32
Points Difference
-32
4/5
First Try
1/5
4/5
First Points
0/5
4/5
Race To 10 Points
0/5

With resurgent Australia due at Aviva Stadium on November 30, head coach Farrell may make changes for the meeting with Fiji, who were beaten 35-17 on their last visit to Dublin in 2022. “It’s important that we are doing right by everyone in our side, continuing to look for a performance,” Fogarty said of team selection.

“Fiji have improved. We played them two years ago and they have certainly improved. You see that through the Wales game (a 24-19 win); they didn’t quite have the full side out in that Scotland match (a 57-17 loss), but they are a dangerous side. So it’s important that we are focusing on developing a good performance. Andy and ourselves will select accordingly.”

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H
Hellhound 2 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

All you can do is hate on SA. Jealousy makes you nasty and it's never a good look. Those who actually knows rugby is all talking about the depth and standards of the SA players. They don't wear blinders like you. The NH had many years to build the depth and players for multiple competition the SA teams didn't. There will be growing pains. Not least travel issues. The NH teams barely have to travel to play an opponent opposed to the SA teams. That is just one issue. There is many more issues, hence the "growing pains". The CC isn't yet a priority and this is what most people have a problem with. Saying SA is disrespecting that competition which isn't true. SA don't have the funds yet to go big and get the players needed for 3 competitions. It all costs a lot of money. It's over using players and get them injured or prioritising what they can deliver with what are available. To qualify for CC, they need to perform well in the URC, so that is where the main priorities is currently. In time that will change with sponsors coming in fast. They are at a distinct disadvantage currently compared to the rest. Be happy about that, because they already are the best international team. You would have hated it if they kept winning the club competitions like the URC and CC every year too. Don't be such a sourmouth loser. See the complete picture and judge accordingly. There is many factors you aren't even aware of at play that you completely ignore just to sound relevant. Instead of being an positive influence and spread the game and help it grow, we have to read nonsense like this from haters. Just grow up and stop hating on the game. Go watch soccer or something that loves people like you.

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