Ireland may be without cited lock Donnacha Ryan
Ireland forward Donnacha Ryan will learn whether he will be suspended by an independent Six Nations Committee in London on Tuesday 16 November.
Ryan was cited for allegedly stamping on a Samoan player during Ireland’s 20-10 win over the islanders on Saturday 13 November.
The committee will be chaired by Wales’ Roger Morris and the panel will consist of fellow Welshman Simon Thomas and the Italian Achille Reali.
Ryan only came on against Samoa in the 69th minute as he replaced the Leinster debutant Devon Toner in the second row.
If found guilty the Munster lock will play no further part in Ireland’s Autumn Internationals and will miss the matches against New Zealand and Argentina.
The player could also miss some key games in Munster’s Heineken Cup campaign in December.
Irish coach Declan Kidney will not be too concerned about Ryan’s absence if found guilty, as he is expected to recall Donnacha O’Callaghan and Mick O’Driscoll into the match day squad against the All Blacks.
If Ryan is handed out a suspension Devon Toner may be included amongst the substitutes.
Kidney will be more concerned about the fitness of Cian Healy. New Zealand are expected to target the Irish weakness in the front row. Healy would be considered one of Ireland’s first choice props, especially with the absence of the injured Tony Buckley.
Healy picked up a dead leg and Tom Court and John Hayes will start if the Leinster prop is not passed fit.
Kidney admits that his team will face a daunting task, especially as Ireland are struggling to find their form. However the Irish coach confirmed that they would continue to persist with their passing game, despite the number of handling errors.
Speaking to reporters, Kidney said, "We're not exactly firing on all cylinders to the extent that we're probably turning over a bit more ball than we want to, but we're having a go at it and if you don't try things you won't learn. We're trying to play with
the ball in hand."
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