Irish coach Declan Kidney waits over fitness of his centre pairing
Irish captain Brian O’Driscoll and versatile Munster back Keith Earls are the most pressing injury concerns for Irish coach Declan Kidney ahead of the Autumn Internationals.
O’Driscoll injured his hamstring in Leinster’s Heineken Cup win with French league leaders Racing Metro on Saturday, 9 October.
At first, the player was given an outside chance to play against Saracens in their second Heineken Cup match, but the player is still injured. He is not likely to start in Ireland's opening match against South Africa on Saturday, 6 November.
He is expected to return to contact training later next week and will face a tough battle to prove that he is fit enough to lead the Irish side out against the Springboks.
Earls is also expected to resume training next week, and if both players prove to be fit they could form a partnership in the centre of midfield. The Munster back may also feature on the wing or at full-back (if fit).
Unfortunately, Earls will likely miss out on a place in the first team due to his lack of match practice and leg injury.
The player has only just returned to the Munster first team and picked up a knock at the end of Munster’s Magners League meeting with Treviso at Thomond Park.
Centre Gordon D’Arcy and hooker Rory Best also sat out of training after they picked up slight injuries in the past week.
Luke Fitzgerald has only recovered from a rib injury, while lock Paul O’Connell is a long-term injury worry. Prop Marcus Horan has also had to withdraw from the squad.
The Irish coach stated that the team had to cope with the injuries. "You don’t fuss about it; you just get on with it. This is always a time of year when resources are going to be stretched."
With O’Driscoll and Earls presumed doubtful for the opening Test, Kidney will have to rely on fringe players stepping up to the mark.
Tags: